[PPRAANet] Hayman Fire: Public Land Closed today at noon

[Roller, Rob]

PUEBLO, CO.  The U.S. Forest Service, Pike & San Isabel National Forests,
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands and Bureau of Land Management, Royal
Gorge Field office tonight signed a historic document closing the federal
public lands to all uses in Douglas, Jefferson, Park, Teller and El Paso
Counties.  The closure begins at noon Monday and will stay in effect until
rescinded.  The Stage 3 fire restriction order was put in place as a way of
protecting visitors and homeowners from the extreme fire danger plaguing
these areas.

The exact wording of Closure Order 02-07 is posted on the web at
www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/fire/hayman/closures.htm.  

According to Acting Forest Supervisor John J. Hill, "This is the first time
that federal land managers in this area of Colorado have had to take such
dramatic steps.  We understand the gravity of this closure and also believe
that it mirrors the gravity of the fire danger we see around us." 

The Order states that all lands administered by the Pike National Forest
(NF) and BLM, Royal Gorge Field Area in these counties are closed for all
uses.  Persons are prohibited from being in or driving on any National
Forest or BLM lands.  Included in the order are prohibitions on building or
maintaining open fires, smoking (except in an enclosed area), and using
explosives (similar to the previous Stage 2 fire restrictions).

Under this Order, persons may be in the area for the following reasons:

Drive through the closed counties on open state or county highways,

Hold a valid permit, 

An owner or leasee of land in the area,

A resident requiring access through the Pike NF or BLM,

Have official business as a federal, state or local officer, or

Have a permitted business, trade or occupation.