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Multiple state wildlife areas close indefinitely over wildfires

The Bergen Peak, Georgetown and Mount Evans State Wildlife Areas are closed to public access over wildfire activity, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Thursday evening.

The closures take effect immediately and will be indefinite, officials said.

“This is unprecedented having this many fires burning in late October,” said Mark Lamb, area wildlife manager. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

CPW said several fires are creating direct and indirect issues on the public lands, including the Cameron Peak Fire and the East Troublesome Fire.

The two wildfires are the largest in recorded state history, having burned a combined total of nearly 380,000 acres as of Friday morning. The fires are 57% and 5% contained, respectively.

Officials will evaluate the closures as fire conditions change, CPW said.

Colorado’s second hunting season begins Saturday.

CPW said hunters holding second season rifle licenses in game management unit 39 can request a refund and reinstatement of preference points used to draw the license.

A full list of hunting licenses being offered refunds is available online.

Smoke fills the sky as the sunsets while the East Troublesome fire burns close to the town of Granby in Grand County on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. The East Troublesome fire has grown to be the second-largest wildfire in Colorado history. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush The Gazette)
Smoke fills the sky as the sunsets while the East Troublesome fire burns close to the town of Granby in Grand County on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. The East Troublesome fire has grown to be the second-largest wildfire in Colorado history. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush The Gazette)


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