Uncompahgre National Forest

Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 9:02PM MDT until June 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

9:02 PM — July 1st, 5:15 AM

* AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 203 Lower Colorado River below 8000 feet. * TIMING...From noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. * WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...6 to 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 9:02PM MDT until July 1 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

9:02 PM — July 1st, 5:15 AM

* AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 203 Lower Colorado River below 8000 feet. * TIMING...From noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. * WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...6 to 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Fire Weather Watch issued June 30 at 9:02PM MDT until July 2 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

9:02 PM — July 1st, 5:15 AM

* AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 290 Paradox Valley Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 291 Northern San Juan Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 293 Gunnison Basin Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area. In Utah, Fire Weather Zone 491 Southeast Utah. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

Overview

Uncompahgre National Forest is part of the administratively combined Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, covering over 3 million acres on Colorado's Western Slope. The Uncompahgre portion encompasses nearly 1 million acres across western Colorado, spanning from the Uncompahgre Plateau to the rugged San Juan Mountains with elevations ranging from 5,800 to over 14,000 feet. The forest is currently open with typical winter operations in effect. Active alerts include: winter travel restrictions in the Crested Butte area (began Dec 31, 2025), winter wildlife closures in the Almont Triangle (Dec 12-April 30), and temporary winter logging road closures on Grand Mesa (Mondays-Fridays through April 1, 2026). The forest is conducting prescribed pile burning operations as conditions allow. Multiple wilderness areas including Uncompahgre Wilderness have special regulations to protect wilderness character. Several campgrounds like Little Bear are closed for reconstruction. Forest roads are seasonally closed due to snow and spring mud conditions—contact individual ranger districts for current road status. The forest offers over 3,000 miles of trails, five 14ers, ten wilderness areas, and four scenic byways. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are required for motorized travel. Check avalanche forecasts and weather before heading out, as conditions change rapidly at elevation.

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