Issued for Mesa and Garfield counties Issued at 3:01 PM MDT, Thursday, June 11, 2026
Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Affected Area: Mesa and Garfield counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs.
Advisory in Effect: 3:00 PM MDT, Thursday, June 11, 2026 to 10:00 PM MDT, Thursday, June 11, 2026
Public Health Recommendations: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults and people with lung disease, such as asthma. Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Outlook:A weather event known as a stratospheric intrusion is occurring. During these events, ozone from high in the atmosphere is pulled to the ground, resulting in elevated ozone concentrations. Ozone is expected to be Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups through late Thursday evening.
RIFLE, Colo. — June 11, 2026, 11:30 a.m. — Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) continues to work alongside partner agencies following yesterday’s fast-moving structure and wildland fire that originated near Willow Creek Circle and spread along Government Creek to the Rifle Creek Apartments area.
Fire crews remained on scene overnight and continue to address hot spots and conduct mop-up operations. The fire has been mapped at 10 acres and is contained at this time.
Evacuations implemented during the incident have largely been lifted. Two apartment buildings remained under evacuation overnight; however, as of this morning, all residents except those displaced in the fire-damaged apartment building have been allowed to return to their residences.
Colorado River Fire Rescue was assisted by Grand Valley Fire Protection District, Glenwood Springs Fire Department, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, Rifle Police Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), BLM, Forest Service, and other cooperating agencies.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) Fire Investigation Team has been requested to assist in determining the origin and cause of the fire.
As summer fire conditions continue to intensify across western Colorado, Colorado River Fire Rescue reminds residents that Garfield County is currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Residents and visitors are encouraged to exercise extra caution with any activity that could ignite a fire. Dry vegetation, warm temperatures, and windy conditions can quickly turn a small spark into a rapidly spreading wildfire.
CRFR thanks the public for their cooperation during the evacuations and recognizes the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies throughout the incident.
Leif Sackett Fire Chief Colorado River Fire Rescue
RIFLE, Colo. — June 10, 2026 — Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) responded to a
reported structure fire at approximately 4:01 p.m. today in the 100 block of Willow Creek
Circle in Rifle.
Initial reports indicated a backyard fire threatening a residence. Due to strong winds and
heavy fuel conditions, the fire quickly spread beyond the structure into the wildland area
along Government Creek. The fire continued to advance along the creek corridor toward
the Rifle Creek Apartments near West 30th Street.
Due to high winds, the rapidly evolving incident, evacuations were ordered for residents
along Willow Creek Circle and West 30th Street. Emergency officials have established the
Garfield County Fairgrounds as a temporary evacuation location for displaced residents.
The Red Cross has also been called.
During firefighting operations, the fire spread into the roof of an eight-unit apartment
building at the Rifle Creek Apartments. The building sustained significant damage and is
believed to be a total loss. Firefighters successfully rescued one dog from an apartment
during the incident.
Colorado River Fire Rescue was assisted by numerous partner agencies, including Grand
Valley Fire Protection District, Glenwood Springs Fire Department, Rifle Police
Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Department of Transportation
(CDOT), and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
Fire crews remain on scene working to contain the fire, extinguish hot spots, and assess
damage.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Colorado River Fire Rescue would like to thank residents for their cooperation during the
evacuations and recognizes the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Leif Sackett
Fire Chief
Colorado River Fire Rescue
UPDATE – 1:00 pm: Incident Commander Hostetler has declared the fire contained after firefighters successfully secured the established perimeter.
Fuels within the interior of the fire perimeter are expected to continue burning over the next few days, and smoke will remain visible in the area. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire and address any concerns as needed.
A special thank you to the 24 Diamond Mountain Hotshots from California for their hard work and assistance on the fire this morning. The crew will be released from the incident at 2:00 p.m. today. We appreciate their dedication and support.
UPDATE – 9:50 am: Firefighters continue to work in steep, rocky terrain to strengthen containment lines and suppress remaining hot spots. Updated mapping has more accurately measured the fire at 4.54 acres.
Photos courtesy of Glenwood Springs Fire Department
Crews are continuing suppression efforts today. Approximately 30 firefighters and agency partners attended this morning’s briefing. Incident objectives include firefighter and resident safety, achieving full containment, and minimizing additional impacts to I-70.
For firefighter safety and access, the slow lane of westbound I-70 in the incident area is expected to remain closed throughout the day. Please use caution and expect delays while traveling through the area.
Crews expect full containment tonight on the two-acre Devil’s Hole Creek Fire, mile 123.4 in Glenwood Canyon. Firefighters have stopped the fire’s growth.
Great coordinated effort with federal, state and local resources. The other two fires mentioned below are named the Shoshone Fire (123.2), which is contained and estimated at two acres, and Grindstone Fire (119.5) which was contained at 0.1 acre by Glenwood Springs Fire Department.
6:05 p.m. UPDATE: The 119.5 and 123.2 fires are contained. The 123.4 fire is more than 50% contained. Crews will remain on scene and continue to work the fires. Command has been turned over to U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest.
A special thank you to Defiance Rafting and Blue Sky Adventures for providing rafts that allowed firefighters to safely access the fire across the Colorado River. We appreciate their support and partnership. – Glenwood Springs Fire Department
3:52 p.m. UPDATE: A third fire has been located at milepost 123.2. All three fires are south of the Colorado River near the railroad tracks. A helicopter is conducting bucket drops.
Shortly after 3:00 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a reported brush fire on the south side of the Colorado River near mile marker 119.5 eastbound on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon.
Upon arrival, crews located a small brush fire burning in sagebrush. A Type 3 helicopter has been requested to assist with water bucket drops.
For firefighter safety, the slow (right) eastbound lane of I-70 has been closed in the area. Motorists are encouraged to use caution, reduce speeds, and watch for emergency personnel working along the roadway.
Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available. Photos courtesy of Glenwood Springs Fire Department. Glenwood Springs Fire Department Glenwood Fire website | facebook: #GlenwoodSpringsFireDepartment
Between exit 121: Grizzly Creek and exit 119: No Name (near No Name) at Mile Point 119.5. The right lane is closed due to fire activity. Slower speeds are advised.
Glenwood Springs Police Department and Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
5.21.26, 7:20 p.m. – 7th Street & Bennett Avenue: The area is now clear. There’s no ongoing threat. Residents can resume normal activity.
Departamento de PolicĂa de Glenwood Springs y Autoridad de Comunicaciones de Emergencia del Condado de Garfield
5.21.26, 7:20 p.m.– Calle 7 y Avenida Bennett: La zona ya está despejada. No existe ninguna amenaza. Los residentes pueden retomar sus actividades normales.
Glenwood Springs Police Department and Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
5.21.26, 6:40 p.m. – 7th Street and Bennett Avenue – Glenwood Springs: There is a law enforcement presence in the area. Please stay inside, lock doors and windows or avoid the area.
5.21.26, 6:40 p.m. – 7th St y Bennett Ave, Glenwood Springs: Hay presencia policial. Por favor, permanezca adentro, cierre con llave las puertas y ventanas, y evite el área.
5.16.26, 3:31 p.m. – We’re aware of the power outage currently affecting Glenwood Springs, New Castle, and Silt. Xcel Energy is actively working to restore service as quickly as possible.
At this time, please do not call the electric company to report the outage, as they are already aware of the issue and responding.
We appreciate your patience and will share updates as they become available.
At approximately 9:39 a.m. this morning, Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) was dispatched to a reported collision involving a passenger train and a tanker truck between Silt and Rifle, Colorado.
CRFR responded with two engines, two ambulances, and a Battalion Chief. Upon arrival, crews found a passenger train involved in a collision with a tanker truck carrying hot asphalt tar. The collision resulted in the derailment of the train.
The driver of the tanker truck sustained minor to moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance for medical evaluation. No additional patients required transport.
CRFR personnel assisted approximately 310 passengers and train staff members from the train to waiting buses for transportation to their final destination.
Multiple agencies assisted with the incident response, including the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation, New Castle Police Department, and Union Pacific personnel.
The incident remains under investigation by the appropriate authorities.
Leif Sackett Fire Chief Colorado River Fire Rescue
