San Juan NF in SW Colorado to be closed!
I started another thread on the 416 Fire north of Durango, but this closure will affect a much greater area. So if you have plans around Durango, Pagosa Springs, Dolores up to Lizard Head Pass, be ...
Forum Discussion
I dislike the closure of a complete national forest, however it is a reasonable process in an emergency.
Not only is it reasonable to help prevent new fires caused by humans, either deliberate or stupidity, but it is a manpower issue.
The USFS simply doesn't have the number of people in the state of Colorado to monitor all the NF land, and help with the area currently under immediate fire danger. Closing the rest of the San Juan NF lets them put what people they have where they are needed.
Yes, towns across the state depend upon tourism. But if they cannot concentrate on protection of the people in immediate danger, it is going to be a bigger, long term hit to the state from losing towns due to fire and the resultant danger next year.
Durango's biggest danger does not seem to be fire in my opinion, but flooding. If there are large rains this year (doubtful), but certainly from snow melt next year, the damaged forest isn't going to hold much water. There are going to be mud slides, and greatly increased water flow in the Animas River. Possibly taking out part of the trackage of the Durango and Silverton - shutting that railroad down for all of 2019, and maybe part of 2020. Possibly flood damage destroying buildings in Durango.
Other towns and highways will be in danger.
Basically, much of the southwest corner of the state in my opinion has likely already lost the 2018 tourist season, and agricultural season. The NF closure is about having enough left for a 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Not only is it reasonable to help prevent new fires caused by humans, either deliberate or stupidity, but it is a manpower issue.
The USFS simply doesn't have the number of people in the state of Colorado to monitor all the NF land, and help with the area currently under immediate fire danger. Closing the rest of the San Juan NF lets them put what people they have where they are needed.
Yes, towns across the state depend upon tourism. But if they cannot concentrate on protection of the people in immediate danger, it is going to be a bigger, long term hit to the state from losing towns due to fire and the resultant danger next year.
Durango's biggest danger does not seem to be fire in my opinion, but flooding. If there are large rains this year (doubtful), but certainly from snow melt next year, the damaged forest isn't going to hold much water. There are going to be mud slides, and greatly increased water flow in the Animas River. Possibly taking out part of the trackage of the Durango and Silverton - shutting that railroad down for all of 2019, and maybe part of 2020. Possibly flood damage destroying buildings in Durango.
Other towns and highways will be in danger.
Basically, much of the southwest corner of the state in my opinion has likely already lost the 2018 tourist season, and agricultural season. The NF closure is about having enough left for a 2019 and 2020 seasons.
