Turkey Tracks Shooting Area Closed After Small Fire, Officials Say
The Turkey Tracks shooting area near Sedalia was closed until further notice after a small fire burned at the site from December 22 to December 23, 2025, prompting a coordinated response by local and federal agencies. The U.S. Forest Service ordered the closure because of heightened fire danger and dry conditions, a move that affects outdoor access and public safety for residents near Highway 67.
County and federal authorities closed the Turkey Tracks shooting area on the Teller and Douglas county line following a small wildfire that burned from December 22 to December 23, 2025. The closure, issued by the U.S. Forest Service, remains in place until weather and fire risk conditions improve enough to allow safe public access. No reopening date has been provided.
Responding agencies included the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management, and the U.S. Forest Service, which worked together to extinguish the blaze and secure the site. Local officials emphasized the decision was driven by current dry conditions and a heightened potential for fire activity, factors that increase risk for recreational users and nearby residents.
The affected area sits off Highway 67 near Sedalia, a popular corridor for outdoor recreation and target shooting. With the closure in effect, access to trails, shooting points and parking near Turkey Tracks will be restricted until authorities lift the order. Residents who use the area for weekend recreation or routine access should plan alternate routes and expect signage or temporary closures at trailheads and access roads.
Beyond immediate access limitations, the closure reflects broader concerns about wintertime fire behavior in the region. Dry fuels and unseasonably low moisture can allow even small ignitions to spread, complicating suppression efforts and placing additional demands on local emergency resources. The coordinated response by county and federal teams helped limit the fire to a small area, but officials stressed that conditions remain unfavorable for safe public use.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office stated the area will reopen only once weather and fire risk conditions make it safe to do so. Until then, residents should heed closure notices and avoid entering the site. Local emergency management continues to monitor conditions and will provide updates when conditions change and it is safe to restore public access.
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