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Garfield County | Accessibility | Storm King 14
7.22.26, 6:31 a.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 97 to the 105 EB, left lane only. Westbound lanes remain closed at this time.
GARCO911 – GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
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July 21, 2026, 3:19 p.m. – I-70 remains closed between mile-markers 97 and 105 both directions, Silt to New Castle, due to yesterday’s flooding. Westbound traffic is expected to be heavy this afternoon and evening with significant delays expected on the detour route. Please be patient and drive safely.
Colorado Department of Transportation maintenance personnel continue to work on Interstate 70 between New Castle, Mile Point 105, and Silt, MP 97, to remove tons of mud and debris covering the roadway. Detours are in place on U.S. 6.
At approximately 7 p.m. on July 20, I-70 became impassable due to a debris flow. Torrential rain and hail flooded the area, pushing mud, logs, and rocks across the roadway and overwhelming local drainages.
“A very quick, very heavy rain and hail storm brought a lot of moisture and the dry ground was not able to absorb, which caused massive flooding and piles of debris to overwhelm the drainage system in this area,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Jason Smith. “Our maintenance crew reacted quickly and worked in conjunction with our State Patrol partners to get the roadway closed off and route vehicles onto detours.”
It’s estimated that the mud and debris has covered more than 300 yards of the highway and more than three feet deep in some areas.
“There is a lot of material for the crews to clear and water to drain,” said Smith. “We are working hard to get this cleared up to get this vital road back open as soon as possible.”
A debris flow is a fast-moving, gravity-driven slurry of water-saturated rock, soil, vegetation, and other organic materials that travels down slopes. Moving like a river of liquid mud and rock, these destructive landslides can exceed speeds of 35 mph and are frequently triggered by intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt, particularly in areas recently scarred by wildfires, but can also take place in extremely dry conditions.
Extended delays are expected. Commuters are encouraged to use the COtrip.org web or COtrip Planner App for roadway updates and detour information.
7.20.26, 11:24 pm – Highway 6 is open between mile markers 100-103 both directions, Silt and New Castle areas.
7.20.26, 9:03 pm – Highway 6 is closed between mile markers 100-103 both directions, between Silt and New Castle area, due to a land/mud slide. For the latest road conditions and a map of the detour, visit cotrip.org
7.20.26, UPDATE as of 7:30 pm: I-70 now closed at exit 97 Silt, eastbound and exit 105, westbound New Castle.
ROAD CLOSURES / FLOODING ALERT
Flash flooding is impacting the Peach Valley area. County Road 214 (Peach Valley Road) is completely flooded at the intersection with County Road 262 (Mid Valley Lane). Both roads are closed due to swift moving water and multiple logs in the roadway.
On I-70 in the vicinity of mile markers 101–102, approximately one mile east of Coal Ridge High School between Silt and New Castle. There are some flood waters from Peach Valley moving onto the highway.
Please use caution in these areas, as it is backing up traffic in both the east and westbound lanes of I-70.
GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
garcosheriff.com | facebook @GarcoSheriff
I-70 closed both directions due to a mudslide.
Between Exit 97: Silt (2 miles east of the Silt area) and Exit 105: New Castle (near New Castle) from Mile Point 101.5 to Mile Point 105. Road closed expect delays due to a mud slide.
Between Lyons Boulevard and Weare Lane (2 miles east of the Silt area) from Mile Point 100 to Mile Point 103. Road closed expect delays due to a mud slide.
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
COtrip travel alerts | facebook @coloradodot
Tomorrow, Monday, July 20th, we will honor the memory and sacrifice of helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, as a solemn procession escorts him from Montrose to Denver International Airport.
Nicholas tragically lost his life while protecting our communities during the Gold Mountain Fire wildfire operations. We invite community members along the route to join us in paying their final respects.
Map depicts Montrose as start of procession at 7 a.m., with Grand Junction at approximately 8 a.m., Glenwood Springs as a Colorado State Patrol escort transfer point at 9:15 a.m., Vail at 10:15 a.m., and Silverthorne at 10:45 a.m., all marked along the route ending at Denver International Airport at noon Monday.
To honor Nicholas safely and avoid causing traffic hazards on I-70, please strictly adhere to the following directives from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and traffic safety officials:
Thank you for your cooperation, support, and for helping us honor a hero who gave everything to protect Colorado.
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CDPS website | facebook @COPublicSafety
COLORADO DIVISION OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
CDFPC website | facebook @ColoradoFire
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
308 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a
Excessive rainfall over the warning area will cause mud slides near steep terrain and County Road 5. The mud slide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Lee Burn
Scar.
SOURCE…Radar.
IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Lee Burn Scar.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks…streams…and ditches in the Lee Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters…climb to safety.
Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of creeks, roads and normally dry arroyos is likely. The heavy rains will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep terrain, especially in and around these areas.
UPDATE- 7:00 pm – the fire is out. Crews are mopping up the scene.
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ACTUALIZACIĂ“N – 7 p. m. – El incendio está extinguido.
7.12.26, 3:58 p.m. – 3:58 pm – Firefighters are on scene of a less than 1 acre wildland fire above White Hill. Crews are on scene and actively fighting the fire. The power in the area has been turned off for firefighter safety. There are no evacuations necessary at this time.
**********
3:58 p. m. — Los bomberos se encuentran en el lugar de un incendio de vegetación de menos de un acre en la zona alta de White Hill. Las cuadrillas están combatiendo activamente el incendio.
Se cortó la electricidad en el área para proteger la seguridad de los bomberos. No es necesario realizar evacuaciones en este momento.
CARBONDALE & RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Carbondale Fire website | facebook @CarbondaleFireDistrict
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction, CO, has issued a heat advisory for the Central Colorado, Central Gunnison, and Uncompahgre river basins. This includes the cities of Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt, Montrose, Olathe, Delta, Hotchkiss, and Paonia.
The heat advisory remains in effect from noon on Saturday, July 11, to midnight on Monday, July 13.
Precautionary/preparedness actions
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
Parachute, Colorado – July 6, 2026 – The Battlement Trail Fire, which started on July 5, 2026, at approximately 1645 hours, is now 99% contained. Fire crews will continue monitoring the area over the next several days before declaring full containment. The total fire area was mapped at 20.8 acres.
A coordinated multi-agency response ensured rapid progress toward containment.
Resources included:
Local partners supported emergency operations throughout the incident. The Garfield County Emergency Manager, Parachute Police Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, and Garfield County Emergency Communications assisted with evacuations, road closures, and incident coordination.
Additional thanks go to the utilities and community partners who responded quickly to support affected residents and secure infrastructure: Holy Cross Energy, Xcel Energy, the Battlement Mesa Metro District, and Garfield 16 School District, which opened Grand Valley High School as an evacuation center.
Crews will remain on scene to secure the perimeter, address hotspots, and ensure the safety of nearby trails and recreation areas.
GRAND VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Grand Valley Fire website | facebook @Grand Valley Fire Protection District
Garfield County shares this information to provide a more detailed summary for public awareness to honor the commitment and dedication in respect of the five firefighters impacted by the Knowles Fire.
Many individuals, organizations, and communities have asked how they can show their support. The following donation channels have been chosen by the families.
Donate to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
This foundation provides support to injured wildland firefighters and the families of firefighters who died in the line-of-duty through immediate and long-term assistance, including travel, emergency financial support, and family services.
Donate to the National Park Foundation in Memory of Sydney Watson
Memorial gifts honor Sydney’s dedication to public lands while supporting the ongoing stewardship and preservation of America’s National Parks.
Support the Family of Nicholas A. Hutcherson (GoFundMe) This fund was established to provide direct support to Nick’s family and loved ones following his line-of-duty death.
Support Emily Barker’s Family (GoFundMe) This fund was established to assist Emily’s
family with travel and related expenses following her line-of-duty death.
Donate to the Snyder Fire Family Assistance Fund (Alpine Bank) Alpine Bank has established the Snyder Fire Firefighter Families Benefit Account to support the families of the five firefighters impacted by the Snyder Fire. The fund provides direct financial assistance to the families of the three firefighters who lost their lives and the two firefighters who were injured. Alpine Bank has contributed an initial $25,000, and community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to join in supporting these families during this incredibly difficult time. All donated funds will go directly to the affected families.
Thank you for standing with these firefighters, their families, and the entire wildland fire community during this difficult time.