{"id":806270,"date":"2020-04-10T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-10T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/?p=381614"},"modified":"2020-04-10T09:30:00","modified_gmt":"2020-04-10T15:30:00","slug":"us-forest-service-implements-new-fire-restrictions-closures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/local-news\/us-forest-service-implements-new-fire-restrictions-closures\/","title":{"rendered":"US Forest Service implements new fire restrictions, closures"},"content":{"rendered":"
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State parks and National Forest Service land remain open, as pictured in Frisco on Friday, March 27, but all campgrounds and their associated facilities, such as toilets, cabins and group sites, are closed to the public until further notice.<\/strong>
Liz Copan \/ ecopan@summitdaily.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The U.S. Forest Service announced new site closures and fire restrictions around the Rocky Mountain Region earlier this week, hoping to better align their policies with local, state and federal public health guidelines.<\/p>\n

The impacted region includes 24 national forests and grasslands across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile we know that going outside provides forest and grassland visitors needed space, exercise and satisfaction, we are taking the risks presented by COVID-19 seriously,\u201d said Jennifer Eberlien, action regional forester. \u201cWe are providing some recreation opportunities where we can while protecting and keeping employees, the public and our communities safe from the virus as well as protecting and keeping communities and natural and cultural resources safe from unwanted human-caused wildfires.\u201d<\/p>\n

All developed recreation sites have been temporarily closed. And while dispersed camping, hiking and river uses are still allowed, officials are discouraging anyone from taking part on those activities.<\/p>\n

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