Gold Mountain Fire Reaches 38,009 Acres as Crews Continue Containment and Repair Work

Description: The Gold Mountain Fire remains 13% contained at 38,009 acres as crews reinforce firelines, install waterbars and monitor isolated thunderstorms...


Published: 07/20/2026
Byline: SECO News

Gold Mountain Fire Update - July 20, 2026
 
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2
Incident Commander Rodney Redinger
 
Size: 38,009 acres | Containment: 13% | Cause: Undetermined | Start Date: June 27, 2026 @ 5:33p.m.
Location: Approx. 2 miles NE of Ouray, CO | Total Personnel: 967
 
Safety Message: Storms in the West can develop quickly. Local thunderstorms may form and produce lightning, with strong outflow winds and sudden flash floods in steep terrain and drainages. Burned soil forces water and debris to move fast, and create hazardous mudflows. Crews should watch for rapid weather changes, especially since radar may not show building storms. “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”: Twelve inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle, and six inches can sweep away a person.
Current Conditions: Recently, an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) incursion into the temporary flight restriction (TFR) area for the Gold Mountain Fire temporarily halted air operations across the incident. Crews should report drone sightings through the chain of command and help educate the public that “If You Fly, We Can’t.” TFR information is available at tfr.faa.gov.
 
Logging trucks also remain active as crews remove felled hazard trees along Forest Road 858 toward Silver Jack Reservoir. Containment work is ongoing along multiple sections of line and initial attack resources remain poised for new starts. Large water tanks, pumps, and hose continue to be put in place to provide water where no natural sources exist. Aerial resources continue to patrol the inaccessible southern fire perimeter (DIV Z).
 
Suppression repair is ongoing. When fire line is installed by dozer or hand dug it can cause future erosion issues. One mitigation strategy is to install waterbars. Waterbars are diagonal ridges or trenches built across a fire line to intercept surface runoff and divert it off the surface before it gains erosive power.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Moisture has shifted west, leaving warmer and drier conditions in the fire area. Thunderstorms will be more isolated, but lightning and strong gusts remain concerns. Recent precipitation, cooler temperatures and higher humidity have moderated some fuel conditions, but heavier fuels remain very dry and will need long‑term moisture to recover. While soil and fine fuels are increasing in moisture, logs and heavier fuels remain exceptionally dry – significant long-term precipitation is necessary to restore moisture to these fuel loads. Slight increases in fire activity are possible with creeping and smoldering, but the potential for large growth is gradually decreasing with seasonal moisture. Lightning, brief heavy rain and strong winds continue to be key safety concerns.
 
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 on the web. 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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