Gold Mountain Fire Prompts Ouray County State of Emergency and Mandatory Evacuations

Description: Ouray County has declared a state of emergency as the Gold Mountain Fire burns on steep USFS land, prompting mandatory evacuations, road closures, and a multi-agency response. Residents are urged to avoid the area, monitor county updates, and sign up for emergency alerts.


Published: 06/28/2026
Byline: SECO News

Gold Mountain Fire in Ouray County

Ouray County, CO — Currently Ouray County is in a declared state of emergency due to a major wildfire which originated on USFS land, and a local Emergency Operations Center is activated in addition to on-site multi-jurisdictional Incident Command Post for first responders. Ouray Fire Chief Adam Kunz and Sheriff Justin Perry are local incident commanders for the Gold Mountain Fire, which is currently being managed as a Type III operational incident, and will escalate a Type I incident tomorrow morning.
 
A critical incident management team has been ordered, and a Type III team will be managing the fire overnight until the Type III team arrives. The State Department of Fire Control and a BLM Type III crew are on-site, and additional crews are expected be on-site tomorrow morning.
 
A USFS fire investigator is en route, and the cause of the fire has not been determined. The County has declared a state of emergency, and assistance is in progress from multiple state and federal responders.
 
Multiple resources are en route and have been ordered, including Type I hotshots (boots on ground), multiple engines ordered, multiple air tankers, and Type II and Type III helicopters on order for tomorrow. CR-550 is currently closed, and will remain closed overnight, from near the Timber Ridge gas station to the Whispering Pines bridge.
 
Current mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for Lake Lenore, Panoramic Heights, Redstone Road, Peck’s Trailer Park, and heightened security from multiple first responders are on-scene for evacuated areas. A pre-evacuation notice in effect from Whispering Pines to Black Lake neighborhood, along County Road 17.
 
The City of Ouray is not under any evacuation notice, but the City and/or additional areas may be under mandatory evacuation if the situation changes. An evacuation center for mandatory-evacuated residents is currently in effect at the Ridgway Secondary School. The County has declared a state of emergency, and assistance is in progress from multiple state and federal responders.
 
Extremely steep and rugged terrain will make some prevention activities difficult, as the fire is laying down in some places, but is still very influenced by the wind. Additional fire activity is expected on portions due to winds, including expected high winds tomorrow during another red flag warning day. Point protection and structure protection are expected, if public safety concerns allow. In this area, there are only so many places for attacking fire in steep terrain, and first responders have to be very diligent where they put people.
 
Evacuation orders that are currently in effect, are expected to continue through at least tomorrow. Updates will be posted to the Ouray County website. We ask that all individuals stay clear of the area, including all trails, roads, and 4wd roads, as you are putting yourself and first responders at severe risk.
 

A hotline has also been established for questions to the County Emergency Operations Center, which is 970-626-5484. All individuals are encouraged to sign up for Ouray County Alerts on the County website, and follow all instructions in the event of an evacuation.

Ouray County Sheriff:

June 28, 4:45 PM - A Mandatory Evacuation Notice has been issued for homes between Peck's trailer park and Cedar Hill Cemetery (EAST of Hwy 550).

• Mandatory Evacuation – a mandatory evacuation order is in effect. All persons in the identified locations are at risk and need to evacuate the area immediately.

Mandatory Evacuation - Mandatory Evacuation Order in Effect A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER has been ordered for homes between Peck's trailer park and Cedar Hill Cemetery (EAST of Hwy 550)

Leave the area immediately!

Drive safely and pay attention! [All evacuation traffic must travel NORTH due to Highway 550 closure] 

If you need temporary shelter the Ridgway Secondary School is open and providing shelter to residents.

***If you choose to ignore this order, you must understand that emergency services will not be available and there is a good chance you could not be rescued. Volunteers will NOT be allowed to enter the area to provide assistance.***

Updates are available on the county's website: ouraycountyco.gov

Hotline number is 970-626-5484



Follow SECO News on Facebook.
Subscribe to the SECO News YouTube Channel.



Press releases Sponsor