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Gold Mountain Fire Reaches 38,044 Acres as Containment Holds at 24%


Description: The Gold Mountain Fire is 24% contained at 38,044 acres as crews mop up hot spots, complete containment lines and prepare for heavy monsoonal rain...

Gold Mountain Fire Update - July 21, 2026
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2
Incident Commander Rodney Redinger
 
Size: 38,044 acres | Containment: 24% | Cause: Undetermined | Start Date: June 27, 2026 @ 5:33p.m.
Location: Approx. 2 miles NE of Ouray, CO | Total Personnel: 909
 
Safety Message: Local thunderstorms may produce lightning, strong outflow winds, and sudden flash floods in steep terrain and drainages, so the public should stay alert to changing conditions. With increased moisture coming into the area, flash flooding is a real concern.
 
Current Conditions: Fire activity continues to decrease as crews are securing line, backhauling unneeded equipment, and mopping up along the western fire perimeter. Mop up is the process of extinguishing or eliminating any remaining sources of heat. Crews are mopping up the fire edge and using an unmanned aerial system (UAS or drone) with infrared capabilities to assess a section of uncontained fire edge in the Lou Creek area in Division F. Primary and secondary containment lines are completed in Divisions H, K, and P and nearing completion in R and U. Logging trucks remain active along Forest Road 858 as crews continue to remove felled trees.
 
A crew is constructing an indirect hand line in East Fork Cimarron Creek and plumbing the line with hose and sprinklers. Crews and mechanical equipment are making steady progress across High Mesa, Initial attack resources are positioned for any new starts. Division Z remains unstaffed but patrolled by air. An increase in containment is reflected along the southern edge of the fire in Division Z, following five days of no perimeter growth, based on remote sensing and aerial reconnaissance. As containment increases, crews are beginning suppression repair. This work stabilizes disturbed areas, reduces erosion, limits invasive plants and helps return land to appropriate conditions.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Monsoonal moisture is moving into the area, expected to deliver a half-inch or more rain over the next 24 to 48 hours. Thunderstorms will develop beginning mid-day, with numerous waves passing over the fire area, persisting into Wednesday morning. Temperatures will reach the 90s in valleys and near 70 degrees at higher elevations. Thunderstorms may bring lightning and outflow winds with significant rain. Fire activity will be reduced with increased moisture over the area.
 
Air Quality – Scan the QR code at the top for the link to the current Gold Mountain Fire Smoke Outlook report.
 
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): To get the exact restricted airspace over the Gold Mountain Fire, go to: tfr.faa.gov. The NOTAM Number is FDC 6/5451.
 
#goldmountainfire Information
Phone: (970) 355-3286 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Email: 2026.goldmountain@firenet.gov
Facebook: Gold Mountain Fire
 



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