Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
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
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
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.
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 Public Safety, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
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.
Procession schedule and route
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.
Departure: 7:00 a.m. from Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, CO.
Route: The convoy will travel the I-70 eastbound route.
Key pass-through areas: Major towns along the corridor, specifically Vail and Silverthorne.
Destination: Denver / Denver International Airport by approximately 12:00 PM.
Important safety guidelines for the public
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:
Where to gather: Please set up safely on overpasses and exit ramps to watch the procession pass.
Where NOT to gather: Do NOT stand, park, or set up along the shoulders of I-70 or any major highway. Keeping the shoulders entirely clear is vital for public safety and the flow of traffic.
What to expect: The procession will consist of a small convoy of 7–10 emergency and official vehicles. They will be driving with steady, non-flashing overhead light beams to maintain safety and prevent motorist confusion on the interstate.
Thank you for your cooperation, support, and for helping us honor a hero who gave everything to protect Colorado.
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
Flash Flood Warning for… The Lee Burn Scar in… South Central Rio Blanco County in northwestern Colorado… Central Garfield County in west central Colorado…
Until 600 PM MDT.
At 308 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Lee Burn Scar. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
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.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…Rio Blanco.
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.
**********
ACTUALIZACIÓN – 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.
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:
Upper Colorado River Fire – Engines and unified command
Colorado River Fire Rescue – Engine and crew
De Beque Fire – Engine and crew
Angry Bear Firefighter LLC – Hand crew
Grand Valley Fire Protection District – Two Type 6 engines, one Type 1 structure engine, one tender, and command vehicles
Aviation support included three helicopters providing water drops, reconnaissance, and support to ground crews.
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.
New start, Battlement Trail Fire. Began as a power pole fire and has spread toward the Battlement Golf Course. Officers are going door to door for evacuations in the neighborhood adjacent to the golf course. Prepare to evacuate now and follow emergency notifications from Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority.
7.5.26, 9:30 pm – Residents of The Reserve/Battlement Mesa Village are now able to return to their homes. The fire will be monitored by crews overnight. Thank you.
Update: Traffic is reopened on CO RD 301.
Update 6:05 PM: Traffic is being allowed to exit down CO RD 301, leaving Battlement, however, no traffic is allowed to enter. Traffic being diverted to the Boat Ramp parking lot or being turned around.
7.5.26, 5:36 pm – COUNTY ROAD 309 BATTLEMENT MESA TO RULISON: Due to fire/fuego, you are in READY (GREEN) status. Prepare, monitor, and pack valuables. You will receive another message if your area’s status is changed.
7.5.26, 5:20 pm – From Garfield County Sheriff – Battlement Mesa Golf/Battlement Creek Village: due to fire/fuego, your status is GO (RED). Evacuate immediately.
Español sigue. Desde Garfield County Sheriff – Battlement Mesa Golf/Battlement Creek Village: debido a fire/fuego, su estado es IR (ROJO). Evacúe inmediatamente. Evacuate to Grand Valley High School.
7.5.25, 4:50 p.m. – Emergency crews are responding to a fire at the Battlement Mesa Golf Course. Prepare for possible short notice evacuation.
Avoid the area and give first responders plenty of room to work. We will share updates as more information becomes available.
GCSO: Incendio en el campo de golf Battlement Mesa
Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield
7 de mayo de 2025, 16:50 h – Los equipos de emergencia están respondiendo a un incendio en el campo de golf Battlement Mesa. Prepárense para una posible evacuación con poca antelación.
Eviten la zona y dejen suficiente espacio para que los servicios de emergencia puedan trabajar. Compartiremos actualizaciones a medida que tengamos más información.