Gold Mountain Fire Update: 38,052 Acres, 27% Contained as Drier Weather Returns

Description: The Gold Mountain Fire is 38,052 acres and 27% contained as crews strengthen firelines, remove equipment and expand suppression repair near Ouray...


Published: 07/24/2026
Byline: SECO News

Gold Mountain Fire Update - July 24, 2026
 
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2
Incident Commander Rodney Redinger
 
Size: 38,052 acres | Containment: 27% | Cause: Undetermined | Start Date: June 27, 2026 @ 5:33p.m.
Location: Approx. 2 miles NE of Ouray, CO | Total Personnel: 851
 
Safety Message: While fire activity has recently been minimal, there are still hundreds of firefighters traveling local roadways, transporting heavy equipment and engines. Remain cautious when traveling on local roadways, including the Highway US 550 and US 50 corridors.
 
Current Conditions: Fire activity was minimal yesterday. Crews are focusing on strengthening containment lines across all divisions. In Division A – D, crews are making significant progress on suppression repair, installing waterbars and backhauling unneeded equipment. Increased containment is reflected Division F in the Nate Creek drainage. Also in Division F, firefighters are using mixed methods including masticators and chippers to reduce available fuels, and integrating hand line with natural features to achieve containment in the headwaters of Lou Creek. In Division H and K, crews are conducting suppression repair, installing waterbars with hand tools and with heavy equipment. In Division P, timber is being removed from constructed containment lines with skidders, and log trucks while masticators turn brush and slash to wood chips. In Division R, crews are using chippers and masticators to improve Forest Road 858 for use as a containment line. In Division U, crews are backhauling unneeded equipment and improving containment lines. In the East Fork drainage, firefighters removed brush from along the creek bottom and installed pumps and sprinklers to wet the valley to minimize potential spread while protecting wilderness values.
 
Initial attack crews are poised for response following recent lightning, and aircraft support that is shared with the Elk Fire may assist on new ignitions when weather permits. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is developing a plan to determine the level of burned severity. BAER teams rapidly assess the effects of fire on vegetation, soils, and watershed functions, to stabilize the landscape and mitigate post-fire hazards.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Weather has transitioned to a warming and drying trend. Isolated and scattered storm cells may be observed over the high country. Temperatures will range from upper 70s through mid-90s, with northerly steering winds of 15 – 20 mph. Drier conditions are expected to dominate over the next few days.
 
Moderate fire behavior is expected with these weather conditions. Backing, flanking, and isolated tree torching may be expected. Despite recent precipitation, heat remains within the fire area, obscured within and beneath logs, in roots underground, and other sheltered fuels. Isolated smoke plumes may be observed within the interior of the fire and do not pose a risk to containment.
 
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 6/8012.
 
#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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