The Bureau of Land Management announced a modification to an emergency closure order for lands impacted by the Snyder Fire, reopening some areas in Grand County, Utah, and Mesa County, Colorado, while maintaining strict prohibitions on several key river access points. The updated order, issued July 2, 2026, follows progress in fire suppression efforts that have brought containment levels above 50 percent.
Partial Reopening of Public Lands
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office implemented the modified closure order, identified as #COG01000-26-02, to manage public access near the active fire perimeter. According to a July 2 announcement from the BLM, the emergency measures are necessary to protect both the general public and firefighting personnel during ongoing suppression and rehabilitation activities.
Because the Snyder Fire has achieved more than 50 percent containment, federal officials have determined that certain previously restricted areas are now safe for public use. The BLM confirmed that this modification specifically opens BLM-managed lands located north of the Colorado River.
This reopened territory includes Rabbit Valley and the Kokopelli Trails system. Additionally, the order allows access to areas east of Mee Canyon, which encompasses the Fruita Front Country and the Rattlesnake Arches.
Ongoing River Access Restrictions
Despite these partial openings, significant restrictions remain in place for critical recreational corridors. The BLM maintains a strict closure on all access to and all campsites within the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River. This prohibition extends from the Loma Boat Launch through to the Westwater Ranger Station.
The geographic scope of the closure remains extensive, covering contiguous BLM lands across state lines. In Colorado, the order affects lands southeast of the Colorado River from the Westwater Ranger Station to Mee Canyon, as well as areas southwest of Mee Canyon up to the boundary of the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.
The closure also encompasses land west and north of the public lands boundary from BS into Utah’s Westwater Wilderness Study Area, along with the area east of the line stretching from Marble Canyon to the Westwater Ranger Station.
Legal Boundaries and Prohibitions
Specific legal land descriptions for the Utah portion of the closure include several townships and sections under the Salt Lake Principal Meridian. Specifically, the order impacts lands in Township 19 South, Range 26 East (Sections 31, 32, and 33); Township 20 South, Range 25 East (Section 12); Township 20 South, Range 26 East (Sections 4-8, 17-20, and 29-32); Township 21 South, Range 26 East (Sections 5-8, 17, 18, and 20); and Township 21 South, Range 25 East (unspecified sections).
The BLM warned that all existing laws protecting public lands and resources from unauthorized use or damage remain in full effect during this period. Unauthorized entry into the described areas is strictly prohibited. The order will remain active until the Snyder Fire is officially declared controlled or until the Bureau issues a formal rescission.
Federal authorities noted that exemptions to the order are limited to federal, state, and local officers or employees performing official duties, members of organized rescue or firefighting forces in their official capacities, and individuals holding written authorization from the BLM. Violators of these restrictions may face prosecution before a United States Magistrate, with potential penalties including fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months.
