Wildlife like desert bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and the threatened Mexican spotted owl have healthy habitat in Mineral Bottom and Hell Roaring Canyons. In order to protect this ecosystem, the Bureau of Land Management is considering limiting activities like climbing, highlining, and base jumping in these areas. The agency says outdoor sports are threatening wildlife, who use the same cliffs and canyons for rest, escape from predators, and nesting. And later, multiple large fires are throwing smoke across the West right now, including the Pine Gulch fire north of Grand Junction.

Show Notes:

Limiting Roped and Aerial Activities in Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1504945/510

Map of Proposed Restriciton Area

https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/nepa/1504945/20015941/250021372/Mineral_and_Hell_Roaring_Map.pdf

KUER: New Plans For Canyon Closures Near Moab Take Climbers And Slackliners Into Account

https://www.kuer.org/post/new-plans-canyon-closures-near-moab-take-climbers-and-slackliners-account#stream/0

Fire and Smoke Map

https://fire.airnow.gov

Great Basin Fire Activity

https://gacc.nifc.gov/gbcc/

Grizzly Creek Fire

https://www.facebook.com/GrizzlyCreekFireCO

Pine Gulch Fire

https://www.facebook.com/PineGulchFireCO