US Wildland Fire Service to Honor Fallen Firefighter Nathan Matthews at Public Memorial

webpio,

U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Department of Interior

Wildland fire community will gather Aug. 1 in Grand Junction to honor the life and service of Rifle Helitack firefighter who died following the Knowles Fire

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The U.S. Wildland Fire Service will join the family, friends and fellow firefighters of Nathan “Nate” Matthews to honor his life and service during a public memorial service on Saturday, Aug. 1, at The Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction.

Graphic depicting Nate Matthews memorial set for August 1, 2026 at The Avalon Theater, 645 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO at 10 a.m.

Matthews, a Rifle Helitack firefighter from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, died July 24 as a result of injuries sustained while responding to the Knowles Fire in Mesa County on June 27. He dedicated his career to protecting lives, communities and public lands, serving alongside fellow wildland firefighters with courage, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to others.

The memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. MDT on Saturday, Aug. 1, at The Avalon Theatre, 645 Main St., Grand Junction, Colorado. Firefighters and honor guard members from federal, state and local agencies will participate in the ceremony.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the memorial service and join the wildland fire community in honoring Matthews’ life and legacy. Those attending are encouraged to arrive early, follow directions from event staff and law enforcement, and be mindful of parking restrictions and traffic in the downtown area.

The memorial service will be livestreamed on the Department of the Interior YouTube channel.

On Friday, July 31, Matthews was escorted from the Denver area to Grand Junction by members of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Honor Guard, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

US Wildland Fire Service to Honor Fallen Firefighter Nathan Matthews at Public Memorial

Procession to honor fallen hero: firefighter Nathan Matthews

webpio

Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit

On Friday, July 31, 2026, vehicles from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Honor Guard, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Colorado State Patrol will escort fallen firefighter Nathan Matthews and family from the Denver area to Grand Junction.

Nathan Matthews, a Rifle Helitack firefighter, died last Friday from burn injuries sustained while fighting the Knowles Fire in Mesa County on June 27. This escort will transport his remains to Grand Junction. It will be led by the Colorado State Patrol, with U.S Wildland Fire Service, U.S. Forest Service, Rifle Helitack, and DFPC escorting an unmarked vehicle carrying Nathan and his family.

Nathan Matthews, U.S. Wildland Fire Service firefighter

To facilitate safe passage of the processional, CDOT will implement short rolling closures and brief temporary ramp closures along the route.

The escort will depart the Denver Federal Center at 7:30 a.m. sharp and travel via I-70 to the Bureau of Land Management facilities in Grand Junction. Members of the public in the Denver area are also invited to gather at the Furniture Row parking lot at 10301 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, by 7:15 a.m. The escort is expected to pass this location around 7:33 a.m. as it turns onto the westbound 6th Avenue on-ramp.

Members of the public wishing to show their support and pay their respects are encouraged to do so from the overpasses along the I-70 route. Those wishing to observe the escort elsewhere along the route should do so only from a safe and lawful location away from the interstate.

Do not park or stop on interstate shoulders, ramps, bridges or overpasses. Pedestrians must not enter the interstate, ramps, or other restricted roadway areas.

Motorists should not slow or stop in travel lanes to observe or photograph the escort. Do not attempt to follow, pass, or join the motorcade. Please obey all traffic laws, posted parking restrictions, and directions from law enforcement. Temporary traffic delays may occur along the route.

Updates on the escort’s progress will be periodically posted on the UCR facebook page to give a general sense of timing for upcoming towns and overpasses; however, this is not guaranteed to be precise, so please plan to arrive early and be prepared for a possible later-than-expected arrival.

UPPER COLORADO RIVER INTERAGENCY FIRE MANAGMENT UNIT
UCR website | facebook @UCRFireManagementUnit

Procession to honor fallen hero: firefighter Nathan Matthews

NWS: Thunderstorm, wind gusts and hail – Debeque to Silt corridor, Flat Tops

webpio

National Weather Service

Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus CO-Flat Tops CO-
Debeque to Silt Corridor CO-Central Yampa River Basin CO-
811 PM MDT Wed Jul 29 2026

Map of risk area

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GARFIELD AND SOUTH CENTRAL RIO BLANCO COUNTIES THROUGH 845 PM MDT…

At 810 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17 miles northwest of Parachute, or 45 miles northeast of Grand Junction, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include…Rio Blanco County.

This includes Colorado 13 between mile markers 9 and 21.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

NWS: Thunderstorm, wind gusts and hail – Debeque to Silt corridor, Flat Tops

NWS: Thunderstorm with hail in southwestern Garfield County

comms

National Weather Service

Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus CO-Grand Valley CO-
Lower Yampa River Basin CO-Arches/Grand Flat UT-Tavaputs Plateau UT-
644 PM MDT Wed Jul 29 2026

Map of risk area

…A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN GARFIELD…SOUTHWESTERN RIO BLANCO AND NORTHEASTERN GRAND COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM MDT…

At 644 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 23 miles northwest of Fruita, or 32 miles northwest of Grand Junction, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Garfield, southwestern Rio Blanco and northeastern Grand Counties.

This includes Colorado 139 between mile markers 12 and 46.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

NWS: Thunderstorm with hail in southwestern Garfield County

NWS: Flash flood warning for Silt and I-70

comms

National Weather Service

Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
621 PM MDT Wed Jul 29 2026

Map of risk area

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a

  • Flash Flood Warning for…eastern Garfield County in west central Colorado
  • Until 930 PM MDT.
  • At 621 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
    heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.4 and 0.8 inches of
    rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 4 inches in 1
    hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding.

SOURCE…Radar.

IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

  • Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…Silt.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Interstate 70 east of Silt by the intersection of Peach Valley and Slaughter Gulch Road is prone to rockslides and mudslides in heavy rain. Stay alert for rocks and debris on roads, and avoid driving on flooded roads. Find an alternate route.

NWS: Flash flood warning for Silt and I-70

GCSO: westbound I-70 closed between Silt and New Castle due to flooding

webedit,

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

Garfield County Sheriff's Office road closure notice displaying two GCSO vehicles with flashing lights.

July 24, 2026 – I-70 Westbound at mile marker 100.5 (between New Castle and Silt) due to flooding/debris flow. Closed at New Castle Exit 105. No ETA of opening.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

July 24, 2026, 6:44 a.m. – I-70 is closed between mile-markers 105 and 97 WB only, New Castle to Silt, due to flooding on the roadway. Detour on Hwy 6 in place. Eastbound remains open.

GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
FOLLOW on facebook @GarcoSheriff | website

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
REGISTER for alerts – garco911.com | Reachwell mobile app

GCSO: westbound I-70 closed between Silt and New Castle due to flooding

ECSO: Sleepy Creek Fire is now 100% contained

webedit

Eagle County Sheriff’s Office

July 23, 2026, 4:14 p.m. – Sleepy Creek Fire Update: Crews from Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, Aspen Fire, Carbondale Fire, and the Upper Colorado River Interagency team have worked throughout the day, and the Sleepy Creek Fire is now 100% contained.

Evacuations along Buck Point Drive (zone RFF-257) are lifted. The area surrounding the evacuation area (zone RFF-522) is no longer under pre-evacuation.

Cottonwood Pass is open. Please use caution if driving in the area, as crews will continue to monitor for the next few days.
Lightning is strongly suspected to be the cause of the fire.

We want to extend our sincere thanks to all of our incredible partner agencies for their quick response, teamwork, and support!

23 de julio de 2026, 4:15 p.m. – Actualización del incendio de Sleepy Creek: Los equipos de Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, Aspen Fire, Carbondale Fire y el equipo interinstitucional del Alto Río Colorado han trabajado durante todo el día y han establecido completamente una línea de contención alrededor del incendio.

Se levantan las evacuaciones a lo largo de Buck Point Drive (zona RFF-257). El área que rodea la zona de evacuación (zona RFF-522) ya no está bajo preevacuación.

El paso de Cottonwood está abierto. Tenga precaución al conducir por la zona, ya que los equipos de vigilancia continuarán supervisando la situación durante los próximos días.

Queremos expresar nuestro sincero agradecimiento a todas nuestras increíbles agencias colaboradoras por su rápida respuesta, trabajo en equipo y apoyo.

ECSO: Sleepy Creek Fire is now 100% contained

GCSO | Garco911: Ready status lifted for Sleepy Creek Fire

comms,

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

7.22.26, 8:50 pm – From Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – County Roads 113, 122 and 121: The pre-evacuation (ready) order has been lifted.

En español. De Garfield County Sheriff – County Roads 113, 122 and 121: Se ha levantado el estado de preevacuación (preparación).

GCSO | Garco911: Ready status lifted for Sleepy Creek Fire

GCSO: Ready status areas for Sleepy Creek Fire near Cottonwood Pass

comms

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

For the Sleepy Creek Fire near Cottonwood Pass, evacuations are enacted on the Eagle County side. Garfield County is setting READY status zones for resident preparedness. Please prepare, pack your valuables and monitor public information if you live in these areas below. A map will be available shortly.

READY STATUS

READY – possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor and pack your valuables.

  • High Aspen Ranch subdivision properties in Garfield County.
  • Coulter Creek Road (County Road 121) along the Eagle County line in the East Coulter Creek area.
  • County Road 113 (Cattle Creek Road) at Eagle County line in section T6SR87W
  • Mesa Creek area roads in Garfield County.

Ready | Set | Go

Ready – possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor and pack your valuables.
Set – Short notice evacuation likely in your area. Prepare for sudden evacuation; leave now if you need extra time.
Go – Evacuate immediately from your area. LEAVE NOW! Danger in your area.

Evacuation preparation

Prepare to evacuate quickly and safely in the event of an emergency. Planning and preparation can help you take quick action. Visit our Garfield County Emergency Management evacuation preparedness pages:

Garfield County public safety

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
REGISTER for alerts – garco911.com | Reachwell mobile app

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SUBSCRIBE for incident updates | website

GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
website | facebook: @GarcoSheriff

______________________________

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield

Debido al incendio de Sleepy Creek cerca de Cottonwood Pass, se han decretado evacuaciones en el condado de Eagle.

El condado de Garfield ha establecido zonas de alerta para la preparación de los residentes. Si vive en alguna de las zonas mencionadas, prepárese, empaque sus pertenencias de valor y manténgase informado. Próximamente estará disponible un mapa.

Prepárate

PREPARADOS: posible evacuación en su zona. Prepárense, manténganse alerta y empaquen sus objetos de valor.

  • Propiedades en la urbanización High Aspen Ranch en el condado de Garfield.
  • Carretera Coulter Creek (Carretera del Condado 121) a lo largo del límite del Condado de Eagle en el área de East Coulter Creek.
  • Carretera del condado 113 (Cattle Creek Road) en el límite del condado de Eagle en la sección T6SR87W
  • Carreteras de la zona de Mesa Creek en el condado de Garfield.

Durante una evacuación

Prepárese para evacuar rápida y seguramente en caso de emergencia. La planificación y la preparación pueden ayudarle a actuar con rapidez.

Preparate, listo, fuera graphic

Prepárate: Posible evacuación en tu zona. Prepárate, mantente informado y empaca tus objetos de valor.
Listo: Es probable una evacuación con poco aviso en tu zona. Preparate para una evacuación repentina; sal ahora si necesitas tiempo adicional.
Fuera: Evacúa tu zona de inmediato SAL AHORA! Hay peligro en su zona.

Preparación para la evacuación

Prepárese para evacuar de forma rápida y segura en caso de emergencia. La planificación y la preparación pueden ayudarle a actuar con rapidez. Visite nuestras páginas de preparación para evacuaciones de la Oficina de Gestión de Emergencias del Condado de Garfield:

Canales de información

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield
FACEBOOK – Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield # facebook.com/GarcoSheriff
Gestión de Emergencias del Condado de Garfield
ACTUALIZACIONES DE INCIDENTES/SUSCRÍBASE – garfieldcounty.net
Autoridad de Comunicaciones de Emergencia del Condado de Garfield
REGÍSTRESE PARA RECIBIR ALERTAS – garco911.com y la aplicación móvil Reachwell

GCSO: Ready status areas for Sleepy Creek Fire near Cottonwood Pass