Canyon Lakes Ranger District’s mountain pine beetle preventative spraying has begun

Multiple recreation areas will be impacted due to efforts related to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, including hazard tree cutting and spraying more than 9,500 trees.

Contract crews are spraying trees in select campgrounds and day-use areas on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District this spring and summer. Contractors spray Carbaryl and U.S. Forest Service crews monitor operations and conditions. Spraying is very dependent on calm weather and began April 29. More than 900 trees have been sprayed to date, but spraying was put on hold today until May 10 due to the snow. Spraying is occurring at these locations:

·Bellaire Campground and day-use
·Dowdy Campground and day-use (temporary closure expected)
·Mountain Park Campground and day-use
·Jacks Gulch Campground
·West Lake Campground and day-use
·Tunnel Campground

Many of the district’s picnic areas and trailheads could have temporary closures throughout the spring, summer and fall for hazard tree cutting. The Manhattan dispersed camping area and Deadman Lookout Tower could also experience temporary impacts. Check the web or call visitor information specialists at 970-295-6700 before heading out. Also make sure to check the status of roads across the district, as hazard tree cutting activities will continue on Long Draw Road, closing it for the summer and fall, as well as other forest roads.

Forest visitors should be extremely cautious when recreating in the Roosevelt National Forest. Avoid patches of dead trees, especially on windy days. Also, make sure to park vehicles and place tents in areas away from dead trees and take a saw or ax with you to remove fallen trees from roads to avoid becoming trapped. Remember, your safety is your responsibility. Dead and live trees can fall without warning. For additional safety information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/hazardtrees.