Roads, campsites reopen in San Juan National Forest, BLM lands with Ferris Fire 97% contained

Trees and brush were scorched in the Ferris Fire at the Dolores Canyon Overlook. Emergency closures near the Ferris Fire northwest of Dolores were lifted by both the San Juan National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, allowing the public to return to roads, trails, and campgrounds. The Ferris Fire is 97% contained, and visitors are warned to remain cautious of post-fire hazards. (Courtesy of InciWeb)

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Trees and brush were scorched in the Ferris Fire at the Dolores Canyon Overlook. Emergency closures near the Ferris Fire northwest of Dolores were lifted by both the San Juan National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, allowing the public to return to roads, trails, and campgrounds. The Ferris Fire is 97% contained, and visitors are warned to remain cautious of post-fire hazards. (Courtesy of InciWeb)

Emergency land closures were lifted Wednesday for areas within San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands impacted by the Ferris Fire, allowing visitors to return to sites recently scorched, including roads, trails and campsites, according to Ferris Fire Information.

Officials urged caution upon entering previously closed areas. The array of danger may consist of heavy equipment on roadways, fire-weakened trees, flash flooding, debris flows, loose rocks, hot spots or ash pits.

Ferris Fire spokesperson Shannon Colon said visitors should expect traffic stops on forest roads and be cautious of heavy equipment still operating for suppression repair recovery in the area.

“Heavy equipment operators have limited visibility and may not see you, so wait for acknowledgment before passing any equipment. Other than that, you're good to go,” Colon said.

Operations continue on repairing disturbances to the land and infrastructure that took place during fire suppression efforts.

On Wednesday, crews were removing hazardous trees along Forest Road 504 that cuts directly through burn scars. Crews are also repairing dozer lines on BLM lands north of the Dolores Canyon Overlook, as well to land on the north side of the Ferris Fire area.

The Ferris Fire was 97% contained as of Wednesday.

Management of the incident has transitioned from San Juan Team 8 to the Dolores Ranger District, with over one hundred personnel left remaining.

When the roads dry out, crews will head east to repair dozer lines, according to a Ferris Fire news release. Large equipment such as excavators, dozers, graders, a backhoe and a feller buncher for removing trees remain assigned to manage Ferris Fire recovery. Although, the news release said, most hand crews are resting or have been reassigned to other fire incidents.

Removing dangerous trees after wildfires supports long-term forest recovery, as well as public safety, fire officials said. A feller buncher, the pictured piece of equipment, is used to cut and gather tree limbs by crews. (Courtesy of InciWeb)

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Removing dangerous trees after wildfires supports long-term forest recovery, as well as public safety, fire officials said. A feller buncher, the pictured piece of equipment, is used to cut and gather tree limbs by crews. (Courtesy of InciWeb)

Spotters, supervisors and medical personnel are also working alongside crews.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Dolores County Extension Office is hosting a workshop for landowners on recovery assistance and damage assessment at the Dolores County Public Service Center.

awatson@the-journal.com