Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has closed further wildlife areas across the state as fire danger continues to grow, with the latest restrictions hitting southwest Colorado as the Ferris Fire burns.
The agency has temporarily shut down public access to the Lone Dome State Wildlife Area, located in Dolores and Montezuma Counties near the Four Corners region. The site sits along the southern edge of a larger closure zone already established by the U.S. Forest Service in response to the fire. Existing road closures in the area mean Lone Dome was already largely inaccessible before the new order.
“We’re implementing the closure to support the efforts by the U.S. Forest Service and the counties to keep the public out of the active fire area and to protect public and firefighter safety. We appreciate the public’s assistance in respecting these closures.” – CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta.
CPW has also closed the Bayfield Lions Club Shooting Range in nearby La Plata County. That closure follows the county’s recent shift to Stage 2 fire restrictions, which generally prohibit activities carrying a higher risk of igniting new fires.
Officials have not set a timeline for reopening either site, saying both will remain closed until conditions improve enough to allow safe access. CPW cautioned that more closures could follow across the region if fire activity continues to escalate. The agency is urging visitors to avoid traveling into active fire areas and to follow all posted restrictions.