TL;DR: The San Carlos Ranger District is under Forest Order 02-12-03-26-38 from September 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM through December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM, closing described National Forest System lands, roads and trails for public health and safety related to the Aspen Acres Fire while listed roads, campgrounds, cabins and Lake Isabel access remain open.
What Order 02-12-03-26-38 does
According to the Forest Service alert titled Aspen Acres Fire Area Closure Sept. 1, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2026., Forest Order 02-12-03-26-38 prohibits going into or being upon the Described Area on the San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. The prohibition is issued pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a). The cited closure authority is 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e) for areas closed for protection of public health and safety. The stated purpose of the Order is to provide for public health and safety related to the Aspen Acres Fire. The Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area. The Order was signed and issued on 8/31/26 by James Pitts for Ryan Nehl, Forest and Grassland Supervisor for the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. A map identifying the Described Area is attached to the Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of the Order and Exhibit A, the Order directs readers to the alerts webpage.
When the closure starts and ends
The Forest Service alert lists an Alert Start Date of September 1, 2026 and an Alert End Date of December 31, 2026. The Order implementation section states the Order shall be in effect from September 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM through December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM, unless rescinded earlier. According to the Forest Service news release titled Select areas reopen as Aspen Acres Fire progresses toward full containment, updated closure boundaries go into effect on Sept. 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in place through Dec. 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless conditions allow an earlier adjustment. The release is dated August 31, 2026 and identifies the issuing unit as the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands in Pueblo, Colorado. The release describes the action as a reduction of previously established closure areas associated with the Aspen Acres wildfire. Unless otherwise expressly defined in the Order, terms used in the Order are defined by regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If terms are not defined in the Order or those regulations, the Order states their meaning shall be determined by plain language definitions.
Where the Described Area is located
The Described Area includes all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the San Carlos Ranger District east of NFSR 369 to CO State Highway 165 from NFSR 360 south to the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness boundary. The Described Area also includes National Forest System lands, roads, and trails east of CO State Highway 165 to the district boundary from NFSR 386 south to CO State Highway 165. The Described Area also includes National Forest System lands, roads, and trails east and south of CO State Highway 96 and east of Pueblo County/Custer County Road 387 to the district boundary. The alert summary uses the same three-part geographic description for the closure. The release uses the same three-part geographic description for lands, roads, and trails that will remain closed. Travelers should use the Exhibit A map with the Order to identify the Described Area boundaries. The Order incorporates the attached map as Exhibit A. The San Carlos Ranger District office in Canon City, Colorado, and the Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, Colorado, are listed as contacts for more information about the Order.
What remains open on September 1
The Order states the following National Forest System lands, roads, and trails are not included in the closure: NFSR 360, NFSR 361, NFSR 369, and NFSR 383 to Mingus Ranch Cabin. The exceptions also list Mingus Ranch Cabin, Ophir Creek Campground, and NFSR 371 around Lake Isabel. The exceptions also list La Vista Campground, South Side Campground, and Lake Isabel Cabin. The exceptions also list Lake Isabel to include the east side parking lot east of CO State Highway 165 and the north side parking lot. The Forest Service alert contains the same open list of roads, cabins, campgrounds, and Lake Isabel parking areas. The Forest Service news release lists the same roads, cabins, campgrounds, and Lake Isabel parking areas as reopened National Forest System lands, roads, and trails. The release states the reductions reopen several popular destinations while still restricting access where fire activity and firefighter operations require additional space. The release headline states key recreation sites reopen September 1 while targeted closures remain in place to support firefighter safety and ongoing containment operations.
Why access changed while containment continued
The August 31, 2026 Forest Service news release states the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands will reduce previously established closure areas associated with the Aspen Acres wildfire. The release states the Aspen Acres Fire is currently 82% contained. The release states the San Carlos, Leadville, Salida, South Park, South Platte, and Pikes Peak Ranger Districts are currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions. The release contact information is PSICC Supervisor’s Office 719-553-1400. The Supervisor’s Office address is 2840 Kachina Drive, Pueblo, CO 81008. The Supervisor’s Office telephone number is 719-553-1400 and TTY is 719-553-1404. The alert contact name is San Carlos Ranger District. The alert contact number is (719) 269-8530. The Order lists additional contact numbers of (719) 269-8530 for the San Carlos Ranger District in Canon City, CO, and (719) 553-1400 for the Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, CO. Visitors seeking current restriction information are directed by the Forest Service fire-restrictions page to the alerts page and nearest district office.
Who is exempt and what violations carry
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the Order exempts persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 permitting use of roads, trails, or areas restricted by regulation or Order and specifically exempting them from the Order. The exemption also applies to persons with a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2). The Order also exempts any Federal, State, or Local Officer in the performance of an official duty. The Order also exempts any member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. A violation of the prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor. The Order states a violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations. The Order states a violation is punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both fine and imprisonment. The cited penalty authorities are 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581. The Order states it supersedes prior Orders for the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
How to plan a lawful fall trip around the closure
Check the Forest Service alerts page for the digital Order and Exhibit A before traveling to the San Carlos Ranger District. Call the San Carlos Ranger District at (719) 269-8530 for information about Order 02-12-03-26-38. Call the Pike-San Isabel National Forest & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office at (719) 553-1400 for information about the Order. Use NFSR 360, NFSR 361, NFSR 369, NFSR 383 to Mingus Ranch Cabin, and NFSR 371 around Lake Isabel only as listed open routes and do not enter adjoining closed National Forest System lands, roads, and trails. Use Mingus Ranch Cabin, Ophir Creek Campground, La Vista Campground, South Side Campground, Lake Isabel Cabin, and Lake Isabel east side and north side parking lots only as listed open sites. Treat the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness boundary, CO State Highway 165, CO State Highway 96, NFSR 360, NFSR 369, NFSR 386, Pueblo County/Custer County Road 387, and the district boundary as planning references shown in the Described Area. Keep Permit No. FS-7700-48 or a written determination from a Forest Service authorized officer available when exemption is claimed. Members of organized rescue or firefighting forces and Federal, State, or Local Officers should travel under official duty when claiming exemption.