Gold Mountain Fire

US Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray in Colorado remains closed through Friday due to mud and rock slides caused by severe rains and flooding. The closure, which began Wednesday, includes all access points, and officials advise stranded individuals to contact the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. Colorado Department of Transportation recommends using CO 145 as an alternative route, adding approximately an hour to travel time.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife crews rescued 103 Uncompahgre cutthroat trout from Nate Creek near Ouray, Colorado, during the Gold Mountain Fire. The fish were transported to Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery for safety amid concerns the fire could destroy their habitat. The trout, a genetically unique species, were saved through a joint operation involving 10 CPW staff and a fire escort.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife scientists and firefighters rescued 103 Uncompahgre cutthroat trout with the last genetic remnants of native cutthroats from Nate Creek in the smoldering Gold Mountain Fire. The collaboration aimed to protect the fish from the fire's impact.

Heavy afternoon and evening rains across Colorado's plains are causing flash flooding, particularly near burn scars from recent wildfires. Severe thunderstorms with hail and wind damage are reported, along with ground delays at Denver International Airport due to weather impacts.

Friends and family of helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, who died battling the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray, shared memories of his life and character. Dale, 56, was flying a Kaman K-1200 K-MAX helicopter for Helicopter Express when it crashed at Silver Jack Reservoir. Tributes included a procession from Montrose to Denver International Airport, highlighting his dedication, humility, and selflessness.

Helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, 56, was killed while battling the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray in a Kaman K-1200 K-MAX helicopter operated by Helicopter Express. Friends and family remembered him as a humble, dedicated pilot and father, with a procession held from Montrose to Denver International Airport to honor his life.

Increased fire activity in Custer County led to reinstated mandatory evacuation orders. Fire crews are patrolling the western edge of the Aspen Acres fire amid hot, dry conditions. Updates are provided for multiple fires including Hartman Hill, Gold Mountain, Ferris, Willow, Fishhook, and Elk.

Colorado will honor fallen firefighting pilot Nicholas Dale, killed in a helicopter crash while fighting the Gold Mountain Fire, with a statewide procession from Montrose to Denver. Dale's K-MAX helicopter crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir in Gunnison County on July 12, and the NTSB and FAA are investigating the incident.

The Aspen Acres fire has surpassed 100,000 acres, with crews increasing containment to over 60%. Rain fell across parts of the state on Friday, yielding mixed results for the Gold Mountain, Ferris, Willow, Fishhook, and Elk fires.

The Gold Mountain Fire in Ouray County has burned 37,734 acres and is 13% contained as of Thursday. Mop-up efforts continue with no structures reported lost, though the cause remains under investigation. Containment increased slightly from 11% to 13% over two days, with crews focusing on structure protection and securing firelines.

The Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado has exceeded 99,820 acres and breached a containment line due to hot, dry conditions. Additional updates are provided for the Gold Mountain, Willow, Ferris, Fishhook, Green Ridge, and Elk fires.

The Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado remains a serious threat to the town of Rye despite being 36% contained. Updates are provided on the Gold Mountain, Willow, and Ferris fires.

The Aspen Acres fire nears 100,000 acres with 36% containment amid hotter weather and stronger winds offering no relief. Updates are provided on the Gold Mountain, Ferris, and Willow fires in Pueblo and Custer Counties.

Firefighters are working to contain four major wildfires in Colorado, including the Aspen Acres Fire, Ferris Fire, Willow Fire, and Gold Mountain Fire, which have become some of the largest in state history. These fires began in June 2026 and are being tracked by Denver7 as efforts continue to protect communities and infrastructure.

Tourism in Ouray has dropped 40% due to the Gold Mountain Fire, which has prompted travel cancellations and affected businesses in the area and surrounding communities. Wildfires and smoke in Colorado are contributing to the decline in visitors.

A helicopter pilot died while fighting the Gold Mountain fire near Ouray and Ridgway, Colo. The incident occurred late last month as the helicopter assisted in dousing the wildfire.

A helicopter pilot who died in a crash while fighting the Gold Mountain Fire in southwest Colorado has been identified by officials. The incident occurred during wildfire response efforts.

A helicopter assisting in fighting the Gold Mountain Fire in Colorado crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir, killing the pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration reported the Kaman Aerospace K-1200 helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

A pilot assisting in fighting the Gold Mountain fire in Colorado died after their plane crashed into Silver Jack reservoir. The Gunnison county sheriff’s office confirmed the crash occurred in the south-western portion of the county.

A firefighting aircraft crashed into a reservoir in the western part of the state while battling the Gold Mountain Fire. Dive teams were dispatched to the site.

A firefighting aircraft involved in efforts with the Gold Mountain Fire in Ouray crashed into the Silver Jack Reservoir in Gunnison County on Sunday evening.

A firefighting pilot involved in combating the Gold Mountain Fire crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir in Gunnison County, Colorado. The incident occurred at 5:17 p.m. on Sunday, with one person believed to be on board and their status unknown. Rescue teams, including the Montrose County Sheriff's Office dive team, are at the scene, while the fire has burned over 35,000 acres and containment increased to 13%.

Crews are battling the Elk Fire, a new blaze that ignited east of the Gold Mountain Fire, burning 30-40 acres as of Thursday night. Airtankers are dropping retardant, causing increased smoke in the valley, with wind carrying additional smoke from the Gold Mountain Fire. The U.S. Forest Service and aerial resources from the Gold Mountain Fire are assisting in the response.

Thousands of people displaced by the Aspen Acres Fire in Colorado are receiving emergency assistance from The Salvation Army, which is providing food, supplies, and emotional support. The fire has destroyed over 256 homes and scorched 96,000 acres, with relief efforts expected to span years. A donor has pledged to match donations up to $50,000 for wildfire relief.

Scott Stearns, a National Weather Service meteorologist, serves as an incident meteorologist for the Gold Mountain Fire in Ouray County, Colorado. His role involves forecasting weather conditions to support fire management and public safety. He works alongside other incident meteorologists assigned to wildfires across Colorado.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns that wildfires are displacing wildlife, including deer, elk, moose, and bears, into roads, trails, and neighborhoods. The agency urges the public to avoid approaching animals, secure pets, drive cautiously, and follow guidelines to prevent conflicts, particularly with bears.

Firefighters battling the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray have increased containment to 3%, but officials warn the wildfire remains a significant threat.

The Gold Mountain Fire has grown to 27,698 acres in Gunnison County, prompting new mandatory and voluntary evacuations. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which is 3% contained, with operations focusing on indirect containment lines due to rugged terrain.

Damage assessment teams are working in the Aspen Acres fire zone as the Willow fire near Leadville grew by 900 acres overnight, leading to mandatory evacuations southwest of the city. The Ouray 100 race was canceled due to the Gold Mountain fire.

Wildfires in the western U.S. are causing repeated evacuations and anxiety as dry weather and lack of snow fuel fast-moving blazes. Residents like Anitra Cornish in Utah face stress from multiple evacuations, while firefighters and families worry about safety amid extreme fire conditions.

Wildfires in the western U.S. have caused repeated evacuations and heightened anxiety among residents, fueled by dry weather and a lack of winter snow. Over 9,000 personnel are working to contain more than 50 large fires, with three firefighters recently killed in a blaze along the Colorado-Utah border.

Fast-moving wildfires are scorching thousands of acres across the western United States, driven by low humidity, dry vegetation, and strong winds. The Aspen Acres Fire in Colorado burned over 28,000 acres and 155 structures, while the Snyder Fire killed three firefighters. Evacuations are ongoing as dangerous fire weather persists through the week.

Colorado wildfires have burned over 80,000 acres, with prime fire conditions expected Tuesday due to strong winds. The Snyder Fire and Gold Mountain Fire are among the largest, threatening areas in Mesa and Ouray counties. A red flag warning and fire restrictions are in effect statewide.

Residents in western Colorado, including Justin Mitchell and his family, are evacuating due to the growing Gold Mountain Fire, which has forced the relocation of livestock such as 21 horses. The fire's smoke and flames have reached within a mile and a half of the family's location near Ouray.

The Gold Mountain Fire is expanding in Ouray County, leading to additional evacuations ordered by the Ouray County Sheriff's Office.

Multiple large wildfires are burning in western Colorado, causing evacuations, closures, and rapid spread due to high winds. The Snyder Fire merged with other fires and resulted in three firefighter deaths, while the Gold Mountain Fire, caused by a tree falling on a power line, has burned over 4,200 acres and prompted evacuations in Ouray County.

A state of emergency was declared for the Gold Mountain Fire, a major wildfire that began Saturday afternoon in Ouray County.

A wildfire in Ouray County, Colorado, has forced evacuations in multiple areas and closed a portion of US 550. The Gold Mountain Fire has prompted mandatory evacuations for Lake Lenore, Panoramic Heights, and other locations, with state and federal resources deployed to combat the blaze. Steep terrain and shifting winds are complicating firefighting efforts.