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The Cameron Peak Fire continues to burn in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, located just 15 miles southwest of Red Feather Lakes. Photo courtesy InciWeb. 

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Rocky Mountain National Park have expanded closure areas as the Cameron Peak Fire continues to to burn in north-central Colorado.

The Cameron Peak Fire that began burning on August 13 in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests is estimated to be about 134,559 acres in size with 47 percent containment, up from 131,231 acres on Friday. More than 900 firefighters are on the scene of the blaze located near Cameron Pass and Chambers Lake, just two miles southwest of Red Feather Lakes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation with the blaze now the third-largest in Colorado's recorded history.

New trails closures in Rocky Mountain National Park include the Lumpy Ridge area and its trail system, which includes Gem Lake and Black Canyon trails along with trails in the McGraw Ranch area, including the Cow Creek Trail. The North Boundary Trail accessed from McGraw Ranch and the North Fork Trail accessed from the Glen Haven area also remain closed.

The closure area on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest has also been extended south, impacting numerous recreation sites including trails, forest service roads, and boating, fishing, and picnicking sites

Officials say the general area now closed is all National Forest System lands west of the National Forest boundary (except the lower Poudre Canyon); east of the Colorado State Forest State Park; south of the Colorado state line; and north of Highway 34.

The new closures come out of “an abundance of caution," officials stated on Monday.

With dry weather and gusty winds again on Monday, firefighters will focus on structure protection efforts near Monument Gulch and Buckhorn Road, the Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, the CSU Mountain Campus, and Pingree Park.

Meanwhile, wintry weather is holding on across the high country. Trail Ridge Road remains closed on Monday due significant drifting snow along with icy and windy conditions.

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