Gold Mountain Fire

UPDATE 7.12.26, 10:00 p.m.

Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie reports that at 5:17 p.m. on July 12, 2026, Gunnison Regional Communications Center received a call regarding an aircraft down in the Silver Jack Reservoir in the southwestern portion of Gunnison County. The aircraft has been confirmed to be engaged in firefighting operations with the Gold Mountain Fire.

There was one person on board the aircraft, and following a search by the Montrose County Sheriff's Office dive team, Sheriff Adam Murdie confirms that the  the body of the pilot has been recovered this evening. The body will be transported to the Gunnison County Coroner's Office. No further information will be released until the next of kin has been notified. All inquiries should be directed to the Gunnison County Public Information Officer, Nicole Stone, at 970-642-4666 or [email protected].

To see all press releases, visit the Facebook post on the Gunnison County Sheriff's page. 

UPDATE 7.10.26, 11:00 a.m.

The Gold Mountain Fire is at 33,185 acres and 7% containment. The evacuation zones in southwestern Gunnison County remain in the same designation as yesterday:

🟥 Zone 32: remains Mandatory Evacuation

🟨 Zone 33: remains in Voluntary Evacuation

(See below for evacuation map and information).

Crews made good progress on the fire yesterday. Firefighters continued put out any smoldering areas, referred to as mop-up, and patrolled the southern and southeastern portions of the fire area. Strategic firing operations near Owl Creek, Cow Creek, and Nate Creek helped reduce available fuels and strengthen containment lines. Heavy equipment is also being used to protect nearby communities by strengthening indirect firelines by removing additional vegetation.

Firefighters continue to monitor spot fires east of Cimarron Ridge. The most significant fire growth occurred in the Nate Creek area, where a large spot fire continued progression northeast along the west side of Cimarron Ridge. Most fire activity outside of Nate Creek is limited to smoldering, creeping, and occasional single-tree torching as heavy fuels continue to burn within the fire's interior.

Structure protection remains a priority around Silver Jack Reservoir, High Mesa, Bear Claw, and nearby homes and ranches. Firefighters are preparing structures, improving defensible space, and reinforcing containment lines to help keep the fire away from values at risk.

Today will be slightly warmer and drier, with lighter winds. There is a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms, which could bring lightning and gusty, unpredictable winds. A Heat Advisory goes into effect on Saturday for lower elevations and continues through Monday as hot, dry weather settles into the area.

UPDATE 7.9.26, 10:00 a.m.

Warm, dry weather will continue to increase fire potential across the incident through the end of the week. Today's forecast calls for lower humidity, warmer temperatures, and west to northwest winds with afternoon gusts of 20–25 mph. While a few isolated thunderstorms are possible, they are not expected to produce meaningful rainfall. Any storms that develop could generate erratic winds capable of increasing fire activity. An Extreme Heat Watch is also in effect on Saturday and Sunday.

The fire is now at 32,131 acres and 8% containment. 984 people are working on this incident. At this time, there has been no change to the evacuation status in Gunnison County:

🟥 Zone 32: remains Mandatory Evacuation

🟨 Zone 33: remains in Voluntary Evacuation

Firefighters continue to make steady progress strengthening containment lines while protecting communities and critical infrastructure. Crews will continue to work on structure preparation and defensible space near Silver Jack Reservoir, High Mesa, Bear Claw, and surrounding communities. Work will also continue to the north of Cimarron Ridge and in the West Fork of the Cimarron drainage to construct indirect fire lines. Indirect fire lines are containment lines that are built ahead of the fire.

Aerial operations continue with aircraft and UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly referrd to as drones) and the Temporary Flight Restriction (TRF) order in the area remains until July 18th. The TFR information can be found in the linked post below. Remember, if you fly, they can't.** Flying personal drones will ground all aircraft operations and will put crew safety at risk.

UPDATE 7.8.26, 10:00 a.m.

Fire activity remained relatively quiet on Tuesday, as increased humidity, cloud cover and light rain helped limit the spread of the fire. Rainfall totals throughout the fire zone ranged from approximately 0.05 to 0.10 inches, which was not enough to provide wet rain. Although areas of fire continue to burn within the perimeter, firefighters reported minimal growth, with fire behavior mainly limited to crawling, smoking and burning isolated trees and heavier fuels.

The fire is now at 31,420 acres and 8% containment. 976 people are working on this incident. At this time, there has been no change to the evacuation status in Gunnison County:

🟥 Zone 32: remains Mandatory Evacuation (went into this status on 7/6)

🟨 Zone 33: remains in Voluntary Evacuation (went into this status on 7/6)

UPDATE 7.7.26, 11:00 a.m.

The Gold Mountain Fire is currently at 31,420 acres with 2% containment. 928 personnel are actively working the fire. Fire movement overnight has not triggered any further changes to the evacuation zones in southwestern Gunnison County.

🟥 Zone 32: remains Mandatory Evacuation (went into this status on 7/6)

🟨 Zone 33: remains in Voluntary Evacuation (went into this status on 7/6)

Factors such as condition of the forest, drought, and below-normal precipitation are creating conditions that support fire behavior. Today's weather forecast with thunderstorms anticipated, low rainfall amounts, and winds can quickly change fire behavior.

Firefighters continue the protection of residences and critical infrastructure across the incident area. This entails structure preparation and protection measures as well as improving defensible space around structures and Highway 550 corridor.  Fire activity remains high in the northern and northwestern portion of the fire and strategic firing operations have strengthened containment lines. Additional growth is expected along the eastern edge where spot fires head downslope into the West Fork of the Cimarron drainage.

**Do not fly personal zones into the fire area! This automatically grounds working aircraft, delaying suppression efforts and placing firefighters and the public at greater risk.**

The Gunnison County Sheriff has issued a Mandatory Evacuation Notice for Zone 32 in southwest Gunnison County. This is the area south of Storm King, east of Cimmaron Ridge to County Rd 864A in the Cimmaron Valley to the US Forest Service boundary. This includes the Bear Claw, Silver Jack, Eagle's Rest, and Little Bighorn subdivisions.

This is a LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION: GO NOW! Leave the area immediately. An evacuation shelter has been set up at the Ridgway Secondary School (1200 Green St, Ridgway, CO 81432).

Evacuation Map: https://maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=a245e662d7d74b679c420acb6b20ba83

If you need to evacuate livestock/large animals (horses, cattle, goats, swine, sheep), the Montrose County Fairgrounds (1001 N 2nd St, Montrose, CO 81401) has been set up as an evacuation location. Call (970) 355-3286 if you are bringing animals. Mandatory vet checks will be conducted on all animals entering.

‼ If you choose to ignore this Mandatory Evacuation order, you must understand that emergency services will not be available and you may not be rescued. 

The Gunnison County Sheriff has issued a Voluntary Evacuation Notice for Zone 33 in southwest Gunnison County. This is the area east of County Road 864A and West of Big Blue Creek, up to the BLM boundary; and south of the intersection of County Road 883 and County Road 864, also known as Little Cimmaron; and north of the Forest Service Boundary. This includes properties along Johnson Park Rd and Little Cimmaron Rd within this boundary.

Evacuation Map: https://maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=a245e662d7d74b679c420acb6b20ba83

Review the map now if you live in the area of southwest Gunnison County to get familiar with your zone.

Voluntary Evacuation means:

➡️ This area is NOT under a Mandatory Evacuation order yet, but your area is at high risk.

➡️ Conditions may change quickly, and we need you to be prepared and ready in case a mandatory evacuation is issued.

➡️ If you require a longer time to evacuate due to medical issues, livestock needs, or other factors, we urge you to begin evacuation preparations immediately and be ready to leave at a moment's notice.