Derby Fire: White River National Forest reduces closure

White River National Forest

Derby Fire news release – English
Derby Fire news release – Spanish
Derby Fire area closure

Beginning today, the White River National Forest will reduce the public closure in the vicinity of the Derby Fire Colorado following several days of rain.

While the recent rainfall has reduced fire activity and provided much-needed assistance with fire suppression efforts, emergency managers are now closely monitoring for potential flooding and flash flooding in the burn area and surrounding communities. Forest visitors should stay aware of changing conditions, follow guidance from local authorities, and use caution when traveling through the area.

The new Forest Order reduces the Forest Closure to the area northeast of Sweetwater Lake continuing along the Derby Mesa Rim. A map and detailed description of the closure, including affected roads and trails, are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.

8-27-25 White River National Forest map

The latest information about the Derby Fire is available at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-derby-fire and https://www.facebook.com/DerbyFire.

Currently the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning no campfires are allowed anywhere in the District, among other restrictions. Fire managers will continue to monitor conditions and evaluate fire restrictions with local partners. For more information about fire restrictions on the White River National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.  

Comunicado de prensa del Servicio Forestal

Contacto: Iris Salamanca, Oficial de Asuntos Públicos

iris.salamanca@usda.gov 

El Bosque Nacional White River reduce el cierre del incendio Derby

Cierre en su lugar para proteger a los bomberos y la seguridad pública

EAGLE, Colo. (26 de agosto de 2025) – El Bosque Nacional White River reducirá el cierre público en las cercanías del incendio Derby luego de varios días de lluvia a partir de mañana.

Mientras que las lluvias recientes han reducido la actividad de los incendios y han brindado una asistencia muy necesaria con los esfuerzos de extinción de incendios, los administradores de emergencias ahora están monitoreando de cerca posibles inundaciones e inundaciones repentinas en el área quemada y las comunidades circundantes. Los visitantes del bosque deben estar al tanto de las condiciones cambiantes, seguir las instrucciones de las autoridades locales y tener cuidado al viajar por el área.

La nueva Orden Forestal reduce el Cierre del Bosque al área noreste del Lago Sweetwater que continúa a lo largo del Derby Mesa Rim. Un mapa y una descripción detallada del cierre, incluidas las carreteras y senderos afectados, están disponibles en https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.  

La información más reciente sobre el incendio de Derby está disponible en https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrf-derby-fire y https://www.facebook.com/DerbyFire.

Actualmente, el Distrito de Guardabosques de Eagle-Holy Cross permanece bajo restricciones de incendios de Etapa 2, lo que significa que no se permiten fogatas en ningún lugar del Distrito, entre otras restricciones. Los administradores de incendios continuarán monitoreando las condiciones y evaluando las restricciones de incendios con socios locales. Para obtener más información sobre las restricciones de incendios en el Bosque Nacional White River, visite https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.  

Derby Fire: White River National Forest reduces closure

Lee Fire: Update August 27, 2025

FDNY Incident Management Team

Incident Commander Mike Burke

8-27-25 Morning update
8-27-25 Morning map

Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 90%
211 Total Personnel; 10 Engines; 2 Hand Crews; 2 Water Tenders; 2 Dozers

KEY MESSAGE

The reported acreage on the Lee Fire has been adjusted back to the original size noted earlier in the week, following improved mapping. The earlier increase was due to limitations in the previous data, which temporarily raised the estimate. With updated mapping complete, the acreage now accurately reflects the true fire size.

CURRENT STATUS

Yesterday, crews patrolled and secured the fire perimeter while completing suppression repair in
coordination with Resource Advisors and local agencies, guided by the approved Suppression Repair Plan. The fire remained fully within its current footprint, and crews continued working both to strengthen containment and to begin repair in areas affected by suppression activities.

Fire activity was minimal, and work will continue in the coming days to ensure the area remains secureand repair objectives are met.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely across the fire area over the next several days, with rainfall chances near 100%. Overnight and into the morning, widespread cloud cover with embedded showers is
expected. If skies clear by midday, stronger thunderstorms could develop, increasing the risk of heavy
rain and flash flooding. If cloud cover lingers, conditions will likely remain limited to lighter, intermittent
rain with little lightning or strong winds.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to theRio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.

For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.

USFS White River National Forest and BLM closure rescission information is available at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/cowrd-lee-fire

Lee Fire: Update August 27, 2025

Lee Fire: Operational briefing August 26

FDNY Incident Management Team

August 26, 2025, Operational Briefing with Operations Section Mike Izzo

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office
BLM Colorado Fire
Bureau of Land Management Fire
Bureau of Land Management – Colorado
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado

Lee Fire: Operational briefing August 26

Derby Fire: Community meeting video

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire Community Meeting video – Gypsum, CO August 25, 2025

 

Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

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EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

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GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: Community meeting video

Derby Fire: Road closure point at Colorado River and Coffee Pot roads

Eagle County Sheriff’s Office

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office has made a change to the Colorado River Road closure near Dotsero, CO, moving the closure from north of the Dotsero roundabout to just north of the intersection of Colorado River and Coffee Pot roads. Coffee Pot Road is now open to non-local traffic. Colorado River Road remains closed to all non-local residents and non-emergency traffic north of this intersection. A security checkpoint is in place at this point.

#DerbyFire

Photo: A law enforcement officer serves at the security checkpoint on Colorado River Road. Photo by Stephen Rawding/Derby Fire.

8-25-25 Road closure sign with deputy and service dog
Derby Fire: Road closure point at Colorado River and Coffee Pot roads

Derby Fire: Residents to be granted limited access to Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek

Eagle County Sheriff’s Office / Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

Eagle/Garfield Counties– Starting Monday, August 25 at 10 a.m., the Eagle County and Garfield County Sheriff’s Offices, in coordination with Derby Fire managers, will begin transitioning Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek from full evacuation to pre-evacuation (SET) status. This change will allow residents to return to their properties while remaining prepared to leave if conditions change. 

We’re grateful to offer limited access so residents can rest in their homes for now. That said, livestock are not to be returned yet, as fire activity could shift and safety remains our top priority. 

“This is not a full repopulation, as the risks are still very high and residents should remain prepared to vacate at any time,†said James Van Beek, Eagle County Sheriff. 

To protect both residents and fire crews, travel within the restricted area must remain extremely limited. If travel is essential, the best window is between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when conditions are safest and least disruptive to emergency operations. 

We are working closely with the school district to ensure continuity for students. School buses will run at their normal times, with pickup and drop-off occurring at regular locations. This is considered essential travel and will be supported throughout the response. 

Please avoid all nonessential movement, as fire activity remains unpredictable and crews need clear access to operate safely. 

Reentry for residents will require verification of residency or property ownership at the closure points on Colorado River Road. Federal Law Enforcement and Sheriff’s Office personnel will facilitate this process and issue authorized passes accordingly. 

Firefighting and structure protection efforts are actively underway, and residents traveling to and from their properties should be aware that fuel reduction and defensible space work may result in noticeable changes to the landscape. Please do not move or drive over any firefighting or water-handling equipment, as crews may need to use it quickly if fire conditions shift. Always yield to fire personnel and vehicles, and know that teams are working diligently to restore full access and help residents return to their homes permanently. 

If you hold a permit issued by the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, please coordinate directly with the issuing agency to arrange access to the restricted area. â€œThank you for your cooperation. It will allow us to provide this limited access for evacuated residents and still ensure safety for you and firefighting personnel, “ Sheriff Van Beek said.

Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

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EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

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GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Incendio de Derby: Los residentes tendrán acceso limitado a Sweetwater Valley y Sheep Creek

Condados de Eagle y Garfield: a partir del lunes 25 de agosto a las 10 a.m., las Oficinas del Sheriff del condado de Eagle y del condado de Garfield, en coordinación con los administradores del incendio Derby, comenzarán a hacer la transición de Sweetwater Valley y Sheep Creek del estado de evacuación total al estado de pre-evacuación (SET). Este cambio permitirá a los residentes regresar a sus propiedades y permanecer preparados para irse si las condiciones cambian.

Agradecemos poder ofrecer acceso limitado para que los residentes puedan descansar en sus hogares por ahora. Dicho esto, el ganado no debe regresar todavía, ya que la actividad del fuego podría cambiar y la seguridad sigue siendo nuestra principal prioridad.

“Esta no es una repoblación total, ya que los riesgos siguen siendo muy altos y los residentes deben estar preparados para desalojar en cualquier momento â€, dijo James Van Beek, sheriff del Condado de Eagle.

Para proteger tanto a los residentes como a los bomberos, el acceso dentro del área restringida debe permanecer extremadamente limitado. Si desplazarse es esencial, el mejor momento para hacerlo es entre las 10:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., cuando las condiciones son más seguras y menos disruptivas para las operaciones de emergencia.

Estamos trabajando en estrecha colaboración con el distrito escolar para garantizar continuidad para los estudiantes. Los autobuses escolares funcionarán en sus horarios habituales y las recogidas y bajadas se realizarán en los lugares habituales. Este se considera un viaje esencial y contará con apoyo durante toda la respuesta.

Evite todo movimiento que no sea esencial, ya que la actividad del incendio sigue siendo impredecible y los equipos necesitan acceso libre para operar de manera segura.

El reingreso de los residentes requerirá verificación de residencia o propiedad en los puntos de cierre en Colorado River Road. El personal de las fuerzas del orden federales y de la Oficina del Sheriff facilitarán este proceso y emitirán pases autorizados en consecuencia.

Los esfuerzos de extinción de incendios y protección de estructuras están en marcha activamente, y los residentes que viajan hacia y desde sus propiedades deben ser conscientes de que la reducción de combustible y el trabajo de espacio defendible pueden resultar en cambios notables en el paisaje. No mueva ni conduzca sobre ningún equipo contra incendios o de manejo de agua, ya que los equipos podrían necesitar usarlo rápidamente si las condiciones del incendio cambian. Ceda siempre el paso al personal de bomberos y a los vehículos, y sepa que los equipos están trabajando diligentemente para restablecer el acceso total y ayudar a los residentes a regresar a sus hogares de forma permanente.

Si tiene un permiso emitido por el Servicio Forestal o la Oficina de Administración de Tierras, coordine directamente con la agencia emisora para organizar el acceso al área restringida.

“Gracias por su cooperación. Eso nos permitirá brindar este acceso limitado a los residentes evacuados y aún así garantizar su seguridad y la del personal de bomberos“, dijo el Sheriff Van Beek.

Información oficial de Derby Fire

FACEBOOK – Derby Fire @derbyfire 
INCIWEB – Derby Fire 
BOSQUE NACIONAL WHITE RIVER – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

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INFORMACIÓN DEL CONDADO DE EAGLE
INCENDIO DE DERBY: MAPA DE EVACUACIÓN DEL CONDADO DE EAGLE
REGÃSTRESE PARA RECIBIR ALERTAS – Alertas del 911 ACTUALIZACIONES DE INCIDENTES – Emergencia EC o aplicación Reachwell FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

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INFORMACIÓN DEL CONDADO DE GARFIELD
DERBY FIRE: MAPA DE EVACUACIÓN INTERACTIVO DEL CONDADO DE GARFIELD
REGÃSTRESE PARA RECIBIR ALERTAS: alertas del 911 o aplicación Reachwell
ACTUALIZACIONES DE INCIDENTES / SUSCRÃBASE: emergencia del condado de Garfield
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: Residents to be granted limited access to Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek

Derby Fire: Successful burnout on southern side of fire

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

As of late afternoon on Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Derby Fire is 5,346 acres in size, with 0% containment and 648 personnel. Firefighters were able to conduct a successful burnout operation in the Horse Creek Drainage on the southern side of the fire before the afternoon rain. Line construction continued along the southwest and southeast edges of the fire.

Firefighters had strong support from aerial resources today, working with both retardant and water drops. Two military modular air firefighting systems (MAFFs) and supporting personnel arrived to assist with retardant drops. Aircraft aiding firefighting operations included four single-engine airtankers (SEATs), one large air tanker (LAT), two heavy helicopters, and a helicopter flying reconnaissance missions which also retrieved firefighters dropped off to tackle spot fires. When many aircraft are flying, in-air coordination is needed! Two air attack planes coordinated retardant and water bucket drops, a lead plane guided the large tankers and two Type 3 helicopters acted as communications repeaters.

The fire received widespread rain with heavier amounts in some areas. However, rain may not have penetrated denser tree canopies.

#DerbyFire#FireYear2025

The photo below was taken late afternoon on Saturday, August 23, where the southeast edge of the fire grew. Look closely to see a helicopter dropping water along the fire edge. Photo by NIki Carpenter/Derby Fire.

8-24-25 Derby Fire evening update
Derby Fire: Successful burnout on southern side of fire

BLM: A portion of BLM lands reopened outside Lee Fire perimeter

BLM Colorado Fire

The Bureau of Land Management is reopening a portion of public lands in Rio Blanco County, while keeping other identified lands closed due to recent activity on the Lee Fire.

This closure order opens the public lands previously closed outside of the Lee Fire perimeter bounded by Rio Blanco County Road (RBC) 5, RBC 26, RBC 29, and RBC 87, north of the Rio Blanco and Garfield County line, west of Highway 13 and south of Highway 64.

View the closure order and other fire information: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW

Notice of public closure and map

BLM Colorado Fire @blmcoloradofire

Elk and Lee Fire Information
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado

BLM: A portion of BLM lands reopened outside Lee Fire perimeter