Not as of today to my knowledge but as with all of this things could change depending on conditions and the various entities setting stage restrictions for the land in their specific management areas.
We’re planning to camp at Matterhorn. Looks like that is not in the effected area as of now. How is containment?
Should we start looking for a plan B?
Is it true that Ilium is in the San Juan national forest? Will that campground be affected by the closure?
Thanks for any info. (I apologize if this was already discussed. I read the thread as thuroughly as I could but I’m on my phone and have a hard time navigating here on it)
Just heard from a friend that just went to the office there that the campground is in restriction but will remain open. Hoping for rain and better conditions for firefighters. <3
Best I can tell from the San Juan County OEM twitter feed, Ophir Pass is open:
UPDATE FROM TOWN OF SILVERTON MEETING:
Although San Juan Forest is moving into Stage III Fire Restrictions, Ophir Pass CR 8 & the Brooklands/U.S. Basin Road CR 14 will remain open for through traffic only
South Mineral closed as well as all other San Juan National Forest Roads.
Here’s a PDF from San Juan NF outlining closures:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd583247.pdf
I don’t believe either Matterhorn or Illium are in the San Juan NF & both are probably open, but subject to county wide stage 2 restrictions:
https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=288&ARC=714
Fires should be much better after this weekend. All the weather models I’ve seen are calling for 10% chance of rain by tomorrow night and up to a 90% chance of steady rain in Telluride by this Saturday. Maybe even some rain during the festival if early forecasts are accurate. I can’t imagine any of the festival sponsored campgrounds being impacted as far as complete closures but if you are planning to camp somewhere else… I would be ready for a plan B and C. Here’s a link to live webcams from the Durango area showing smoke from the fires.
http://kdvr.com/2018/06/11/watch-live-cameras-show-smoke-in-durango/
I hope the 90% chance for Sat is what nature delivers and will certainly route for rain, but I’m seeing 10-40% chance of rain into Friday/Saturday:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.9382&lon=-107.8112#.WyANotVKiig
With the extreme nature of the current drought, it’s possible that lighting with only a little rain is worse than no rain at all.
Definitely spending this week practicing my rain dance. HURRICANE BUD SAVE US!
Thanks for posting that link FoM. That’s very helpful. Im planning on coming in this weekend to camp/hike before I camp at Lawson on Tuesday. Was a little unsure of where the boundaries of the SJNF were.
Yeah, there are quite a few models and predictions going right now. I’m trying to keep it positive and go with the best I’m seeing at 90%. That is through intellicast.com.
Most importantly, let’s just hope it’s raining some good beer out of the Avery drafts at the festival. :cheers
Yeah, I’m with you about hoping for the best VX!!! :cheers
I’m doing a rain dance!
Still feeling notable bad effects of minor exertion in the smoke on Wed. I have pre-existing issues, but my neighbor mentioned yesterday her lungs felt shot after going on a bike-ride Wed in the smoke … and she’s in great shape. Just wanted to say be mindful / careful if it’s smokey out during the festival. Likewise, as CL has already mentioned, if you have COPD or cardio issues, you might want to consider the bigger picture and/or make contingency plans.
Hopefully, we get some rain over the next two days, but watched a video from a town hall meeting in Dolores last evening and all officials made it clear that while we might get a reprieve for a few days, we’ll be back to hot and dry with unpredictable fire behavior by Tues or Wed. It could work out to be mostly clear of smoke during festival, but could also get just as bad as it’s been … flip a coin IMO.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the Burro fire might make it to 145 by Dolores at some point along the way … so for those of you who are traveling from that direction, you might need to plan alternate route if this comes to be.
FOM, Thanks for update. It feels like home, we live with bushfires every summer and no matter what precautions you take, always expect and plan for the worst. We keep a packed “ run bag” wherever we go in the bush over summer and first rule is always “ how do we evacuate” in case of emergency.
Appreciate the advice and, as always, grateful thanks to the hardworking First responders and emergency workers who work hard to keep us safe.
Party hard, respect always
I have a vaguely medical question. I’m about to start my prep period for altitude tablets. Does the smoke and haze make the effect worse?
Thank you
I just got some recreational oxygen to bring along, it seems to have helped me last night. I have a couple extra if you are still having problems. The smoke will probably make things worse but the altitude usually is a problem for the first day or two then your body will catch up.
we have made it to Tride. Smoky, and drought is severe. Gunnison and Ridgeway reservoirs almost empty.
but we have 15. lbs of bacon!
Hold that bacon!
How is weather? Is the rain imminent?
Made it to town park last night looks crowded already. The forecast is for rain the next two days but then dry but they seem to change it every time I look. As far as smoke I have noticed very little so far but that could change depending on the wind. Just getting ready for the land grab in a little over a hour. The Potluck string band sounded good last night for the first music of the festival. See you soon… :cheers
:wave What a difference a day makes. Golden CO was so smokey but rained and BOOM it is outta here. Have you ever seen my rain dance? It’s working and you can thank me later. :lol
I love to dance in the rain!
WHAT FIRE?