CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

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Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)

Issued for Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties

Issued at 8:02 AM MDT, Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area: Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache.

Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Tuesday, June 30, 2026 to 9:00 AM MDT, Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Outlook: Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Wednesday morning.

For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

For the latest Smoke Blog, visit: https://colosmokeoutlook.blogspot.com/

For more information about smoke and your health, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke-and-health

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

Identities released of three firefighters who died responding to Knowles Fire in Colorado

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U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service

We are saddened to share the identities of the three firefighters we lost responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday. The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

The deceased firefighters have been identified as:

Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.

Nick Hutcherson, 27 of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.

Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,†said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service. Please join me and my family in keeping our thoughts and prayers with the families of the fallen and our injured firefighters and their families.â€

Full press release

U.S. WILDLAND FIRE SERVICE
website | facebook @USWFS

Departments of the Interior and Agriculture coordinating support for families, crews and communities 

MESA COUNTY, Colo. — Federal wildland fire officials are releasing the identities of three firefighters who died while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday.

The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

The deceased firefighters have been identified as:

  • Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.
  • Nick Hutcherson, 27 of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.
  • Sydney Watson, 26, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

The Snyder Fire has merged with the Jones Fire and subsequently overtook the Knowles and Gore fires. All fire activity is now being managed and reported as the Snyder Fire. The fire is currently estimated at over 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border.

An interagency complex incident management team has assumed command of the Snyder Fire.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,†said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service. Please join me and my family in keeping our thoughts and prayers with the families of the fallen and our injured firefighters and their families.â€

“This is an incredibly difficult moment for the entire wildland fire community,†said Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher. “Our heavy hearts are with the families during this unimaginable time. We recognize the tremendous impact this loss has on them and are deeply grateful for the devotion their loved ones brought to our organizations. We will honor their memory with compassion and support as their selfless service and commitment create an enduring legacy.â€

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service are closely coordinating response efforts and providing support to the families, coworkers and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.

A serious accident investigation team has been mobilized and is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The wildland firefighting community mourns the loss of these firefighters. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Identities released of three firefighters who died responding to Knowles Fire in Colorado

GCSO: Evacuations lifted for Dry Creek Fire near Rifle

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

6.28.26, 8:00 p.m. – All evacuations and preparedness statuses under READY | SET | GO are lifted for the Dry Creek Fire.

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office thanks Colorado River Fire Rescue and the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 Team, as well as all responding agencies, and the community for support and assistance during the fire.

Garfield County remains under a Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warnings. Residents are requested to take extreme caution in outdoor activities to avoid any fire risks.

Please only call 911 to report emergencies, so that dispatch services can be fully available for critical operations.

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT | GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com | Reachwell mobile app
INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net
FACEBOOK – Garfield County Sheriff’s Office #facebook.com/GarcoSheriff

GCSO: Se levantan las órdenes de evacuación por el incendio de Dry Creek cerca de Rifle.

28/06/2026, 20:00 h – Se levantan todas las órdenes de evacuación y los estados de preparación bajo PREPÃRATE | LISTO | FUERA para el incendio de Dry Creek.

La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield agradece a Colorado River Fire Rescue y al Equipo Tipo 3 de la Unidad Interinstitucional de Gestión de Incendios del Alto Río Colorado, así como a todas las agencias que respondieron y a la comunidad por el apoyo y la asistencia brindados durante el incendio.

El condado de Garfield permanece bajo alerta por riesgo de incendio y aviso de bandera roja. Se solicita a los residentes que extremen las precauciones al realizar actividades al aire libre para evitar cualquier riesgo de incendio.

Por favor, llame al 911 únicamente en caso de emergencia, para que los servicios de emergencia puedan estar totalmente disponibles para operaciones críticas.

AUTORIDAD DE COMUNICACIONES DE EMERGENCIA DEL CONDADO DE GARFIELD
GESTIÓN DE EMERGENCIAS DEL CONDADO DE GARFIELD | OFICINA DEL SHERIFF DEL CONDADO DE GARFIELD
REGÃSTRESE PARA RECIBIR ALERTAS – garco911.com | Aplicación móvil Reachwell
ACTUALIZACIONES DE INCIDENTES/SUSCRÃBASE – garfieldcounty.net
FACEBOOK – Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield # facebook.com/GarcoSheriff

GCSO: Evacuations lifted for Dry Creek Fire near Rifle

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

webdev

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)

Issued for Dolores, San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Gunnison, Delta, Mesa, Pitkin, Chaffee, Lake, Park, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Rio Blanco, Routt, Grand, Moffat, Jackson and northern Montezuma Counties

Issued at 8:12 AM MDT, Sunday, June 28, 2026

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area: Dolores, San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Gunnison, Delta, Mesa, Pitkin, Chaffee, Lake, Park, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Rio Blanco, Routt, Grand, Moffat, Jackson and northern Montezuma Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Dove Creek, Telluride, Ouray, Montrose, Nucla, Gunnison, Delta, Grand Junction, Aspen, Buena Vista, Salida, Leadville, Fairplay, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Georgetown, Central City, Meeker, Rangely, Steamboat Springs, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Craig, and Walden.

Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Sunday, June 28, 2026 to 9:00 AM MDT, Monday, June 29, 2026

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Outlook: Areas near and downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Monday morning.

For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

For the latest Smoke Blog, visit: https://colosmokeoutlook.blogspot.com/

For more information about smoke and your health, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke-and-health

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

Thank you for supporting the Dry Creek Fire response

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Colorado River Fire Rescue and Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 Team

This morning, the Dry Creek Fire transitioned from the Upper Colorado River Type 3 Team back to the local agency.

A huge thank you to our community members, local businesses, partner agencies, and all crews who worked together to help bring this fire under control quickly and safely.

Special thank you to Whistle Pig, Brickhouse, Rib City, Sweet Coloradough, Jimmy John’s, Starbucks, and The Rough Bar & Grill for supporting firefighters and incident personnel.

Crews are still in the area mopping up, and Xcel Energy is still working on power lines. Please continue to give crews space, avoid driving around the fire area, and keep your distance.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and support.

Dry Creek Fire thank you

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

Thank you for supporting the Dry Creek Fire response

Dry Creek Fire: Prepared homes stand a better chance

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Colorado River Fire Rescue

Prepared Homes Stand a Better Chance

As the Dry Creek Fire moved through with intense heat and flames, this home remained standing.

This is an important reminder that wildfire preparedness matters. Homes that are built and maintained with fire-resistant materials, defensible space, and proper mitigation have a much better chance when wildfire moves through.

Simple things can make a major difference:

  • Cleared vegetation
  • Clean gutters, roofs, and decks
  • Fire-resistant roofing and siding
  • Screened vents
  • Trimmed trees
  • Space between fuels and structures

Wildfire mitigation does not guarantee a home will survive, but it can greatly improve its chances and help give firefighters a safer space to work.

Now is the time to take a look around your property:

  • Clear dry grass and weeds
  • Move firewood and flammable items away from your home
  • Clean roofs, gutters, and decks
  • Trim trees and remove ladder fuels
  • Create defensible space around structures

Wildfire prevention and preparedness are a shared responsibility.

Small steps before a fire can make a big difference when it matters most.

#drycreekfire #WildfireMitigation #WildfireSeason

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

Dry Creek Fire: Prepared homes stand a better chance

Dry Creek Fire: containment at 90 percent

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Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 Team

6.25.26, 7:08 p.m. – Operations Section Chief Pigati with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 Team provides an evening operational update as firefighters increase containment of the Dry Creek Fire to 90%.

Dry Creek Fire briefing video

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

Dry Creek Fire: containment at 90 percent

CORRECTION: CRFR: morning update on Dry Creek Fire

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Correction: The previous message had the wrong name in the headline for the fire.

Colorado River Fire Rescue

June 25, 2026, 9:11 a.m. – Thanks to firefighters’ efforts yesterday, the fire remains at 316 acres.

Overnight moisture provides favorable conditions for firefighter suppression efforts. Today, crews will focus on securing the fire perimeter and extinguishing hot spots on the interior area of the fire perimeter. Smoke dispersal forecasts improved smoke dispersal this afternoon.

Resources assigned include three Type 2 hand crews, one suppression module, 11 fire engines, two water tenders, and one aircraft available if needed.

For the latest evacuation information, visit Garfield County’s evacuation map: https://bit.ly/drycreekfire. Firefighters remain active throughout the incident area, and increased fire apparatus traffic is expected. Please avoid the area if possible.

Burn area of the Dry Creek Fire.

Smoke column from the Dry Creek Fire,

Team morning briefing for the Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire.

Burn area of the Dry Creek Fire.

Burn area of the Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Burn area of Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Information channels

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
FACEBOOK – Garfield County Sheriff’s Office #facebook.com/GarcoSheriff
Garfield County Emergency Management
INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com and Reachwell mobile app

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

CORRECTION: CRFR: morning update on Dry Creek Fire

CRFR: morning update on Dry Creek Fire

webedit,

Colorado River Fire Rescue

June 25, 2026, 9:11 a.m. – Thanks to firefighters’ efforts yesterday, the fire remains at 316 acres.

Overnight moisture provides favorable conditions for firefighter suppression efforts. Today, crews will focus on securing the fire perimeter and extinguishing hot spots on the interior area of the fire perimeter. Smoke dispersal forecasts improved smoke dispersal this afternoon.

Resources assigned include three Type 2 hand crews, one suppression module, 11 fire engines, two water tenders, and one aircraft available if needed.

For the latest evacuation information, visit Garfield County’s evacuation map: https://bit.ly/drycreekfire. Firefighters remain active throughout the incident area, and increased fire apparatus traffic is expected. Please avoid the area if possible.

Burn area of the Dry Creek Fire.

Smoke column from the Dry Creek Fire,

Team morning briefing for the Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire.

Burn area of the Dry Creek Fire.

Burn area of the Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Burn area of Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire by natural gas facilities.

Information channels

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
FACEBOOK – Garfield County Sheriff’s Office #facebook.com/GarcoSheriff
Garfield County Emergency Management
INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com and Reachwell mobile app

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

CRFR: morning update on Dry Creek Fire

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

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Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)

Issued for Moffat, Routt, Grand, Rio Blanco, Eagle, Summit, Garfield, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Jackson, Lake, Park, Teller, Chaffee, Custer, Huerfano, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Las Animas, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache and Fremont counties. Issued at 8:12 a.m. MDT, Thursday, June 25, 2026

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected area: Moffat, Routt, Grand, Rio Blanco, Eagle, Summit, Garfield, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Jackson, Lake, Park, Teller, Chaffee, Custer, Huerfano, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Las Animas, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache and Fremont counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Grand Junction, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Nucla, Walden, Leadville, Fairplay, Cripple Creek, Buena Vista, Salida, Westcliffe, Walsenburg, Del Norte, South Fork, Alamosa, Kim, Trinidad, San Luis, Conejos, Saguache and Canon City.

Advisory in effect: 9 a.m. MDT, Thursday, June 25, 2026 to 9 a.m. MDT, Friday, June 26, 2026.

Public health recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Outlook: Smoke from several fires burning in Utah and Nevada is being transported into Colorado and is expected to impact air quality through at least Thursday morning. Smoke levels could increase or decrease rapidly at times during the advisory period due to the very unstable atmospheric conditions.

For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

For the latest Smoke Blog, visit: https://colosmokeoutlook.blogspot.com/

For more information about smoke and your health, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke-and-health

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke