Contributed Photo: San Pedro River
By June Lowery /BLM
TUCSON – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Gila District is issuing a temporary emergency closure of public lands in Cochise County. This closure affects public lands within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA). The closure area includes the area north of Highway 90 to Horsethief Wash, east of the administrative road across the river and the riparian area on approximately 100 acres.
“This emergency closure is necessary to ensure public safety after the 90 Fire,” said Tucson Field Manager Jayme Lopez. “The fire weakened large trees that may collapse or shed fire impacted limbs unexpectedly, posing a danger to persons who may be in the area.”
In the coming weeks, fire and resource personnel will conduct post-fire assessments for reclamation and public safety. Once the area is deemed safe, the BLM will lift the closure and notify the public through a news release and social media.
The 90 Fire was reported on Sunday, July 12, on the north side of Highway 90, near the entrance to the SPRNCA. The fire burned 216 acres and is 100 percent contained. Additional information on the 90 Fire is available on inciweb.
BLM
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.
