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BASALT, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife will reopen the gun range near Basalt where a destructive wildfire was ignited this summer.

The agency announced Thursday that the Basalt State Wildlife Area shooting range will reopen to the public on Saturday.

Officials say a controlled, safe shooting range is better than people shooting elsewhere.

It says the improvements will be made to the range, including the installation of fire extinguishers and the permanent removal of vegetation and brush.

Two individuals illegally firing incendiary tracer ammunition are accused of starting the Lake Christine Fire on July 3.

The fire spread quickly and ended up destroying three houses in the area. No lives were lost, but the fire has cost an estimated $17 million to suppress so far.