Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire update document
Derby Fire update document – Spanish
Derby Fire smoke outlook
Derby Fire map

Fire Information 970-355-3283
2025.Derby@firenet.gov
www.facebook.com/derbyfire 

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Incident Commander Mike Behrens

Location:  13 miles north of Dotsero, CO
Start date:  8/16/2025
Cause:  Lightning
Size:  Est. 5248 acres
Completion/Containment:  0%
525 total personnel

Key Message:  

Firefighters are working to build and strengthen control lines along the Derby Fire’s west, south, and east perimeters. Aircraft supported ground operations by dropping water and flame retardant on the east and west flanks. The Colorado River Rd. closure has been extended south, closing access to Coffeepot Road.

Current Status:

The east side of the Derby Fire was more active on Saturday, and three aircraft dropped water and flame retardant to slow its spread down the slopes of its southeast flank. The fire is growing slowly on other parts of its south perimeter, where firefighters are constructing control lines from a network of roads, dozer line, and hand line. On Saturday they worked to strengthen and widen those fire lines and plan to continue on Sunday if weather and conditions permit. Other crews have protected over 500 structures by positioning sprinkler kits and removing surrounding fuels. The White River National Forest has expanded their closure order to include the area southwest of Sweetwater Lake to the west rim of Deep Creek Canyon. The Colorado River Rd. closure has been extended south, from the Dotsero roundabout’s north side to Red Dirt Rd. Note that Coffeepot Rd. cannot be accessed from its intersection with Colorado River Rd.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Outflow winds have begun to push the Derby Fire south, but there is a good chance of wetting rain on Sunday. Rainfall may also be accompanied by some lightning. Daytime smoke and nighttime fire glows may be visible.

Closures and Special Messages:

Eagle County has issued an evacuation notice for residents of Sweetwater Rd. and Red Dirt Creek. Zones GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366, and 369 are in pre-evacuation status. More evacuation information is available at www.ecemergency.org, including where to shelter and resources for pets and livestock.

The Forest Service and BLM have both issued public closure orders in the vicinity of the fire to protect public and firefighter safety. The White River National Forest’s newly expanded closure order and map are posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/expanded-derby-fire-closure. The BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office’s closure order and map are posted at https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-issues-land-closure-garfield-and-eagle-counties-firefighting-activities. In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Derby Fire. All unauthorized aircraft (including drones) are prohibited from flying near the fire, as they can interfere with authorized air support operations. For more information, visit www.tfr.faa.gov.

Please find attached a pdf of the Smoke Outlook for the Derby Fire in NW Colorado. Detailed forecasts for specific locations are available here: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4d276598?

Incedio Derby

Bosque Nacional White River
Información sobre incendios: 970-355-3283 2025;
Derby@firenet.gov; 
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrf-derby-fire 
24 de agosto 2025

Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes del Complejo de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte
Comandante de Incidentes Mike Behrens
Ubicación: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO
Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025; 
Causa:  Rayo  
Tamaño: Est. 5248 acres
Finalización/Contención: 0% –
525 Personal total

Mensaje clave:

Los bomberos están trabajando para construir y fortalecer las líneas de control a lo largo de los perímetros oeste, sur y este del incendio de Derby. Los aviones apoyaron las operaciones terrestres lanzando agua y retardantes de llama en los flancos este y oeste. El cierre de Colorado River Rd. se ha extendido hacia el sur, cerrando el acceso a Coffeepot Rd.

Estado actual:

El lado este del incendio Derby estaba más activo el sábado, y tres aviones arrojaron agua y retardante para frenar su propagación por las laderas de su flanco sureste. El incendio está creciendo lentamente en otras partes de su perímetro sur, donde los bomberos están construyendo líneas de control a partir de una red de carreteras, línea de topadoras y línea de mano. El sábado trabajaron para fortalecer y ampliar esas líneas de fuego y planean continuar el domingo si el clima y las condiciones lo permiten. Otras cuadrillas han protegido más de 500 estructuras colocando kits de rociadores y retirando los combustibles circundantes. El Bosque Nacional White River ha ampliado su orden de cierre para incluir el área al suroeste del lago Sweetwater hasta el borde oeste de Deep Creek Canyon. El cierre de Colorado River Rd. se ha extendido hacia el sur, desde el lado norte de la rotonda de Dotsero hasta Red Dirt Rd. Tenga en cuenta que no se puede acceder a Coffeepot Rd. desde su intersección con Colorado River Rd.

Comportamiento del clima y el fuego

Los vientos de salida han comenzado a empujar el incendio Derby hacia el sur, pero hay una buena posibilidad de lluvia húmeda el domingo. Las lluvias también pueden ir acompañadas de algunos rayos. El humo diurno y los resplandores nocturnos del fuego pueden ser visibles.

Cierres y mensajes especiales

El condado de Eagle ha emitido un aviso de evacuación para los residentes de Sweetwater Rd. y Red Dirt Creek. Las zonas GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366 y 369 están en estado previo a la evacuación. Hay más información sobre evacuación disponible en www.ecemergency.org, incluido dónde refugiarse y recursos para mascotas y ganado.

El Servicio Forestal y BLM han emitido órdenes de cierre público en las cercanías del incendio para proteger la seguridad pública y de los bomberos. La orden de cierre y el mapa del Bosque Nacional White River están publicados en https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver. La orden de cierre y el mapa de la Oficina de Campo del Valle del Río Colorado de BLM se publican en https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-issues-land-closure-garfield-and-eagle-counties-firefighting-activities. Además, existe una restricción temporal de vuelo (TFR por sus siglas en inglés) sobre el incendio de Derby. Todas las aeronaves no autorizadas (incluidos los drones) tienen prohibido volar cerca del incendio, ya que pueden interferir con las operaciones de apoyo aéreo autorizadas. Para obtener más información, visite www.tfr.faa.gov.

Derby Fire Information
Public Phone Line: (970) 355-3282
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/cowrf-derby-fire
https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverNF

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Updated 8/24/25, 8:00 am – Good morning, all, the updated acreage here reflects information recieved from an infrared flight flown last night, which was not yet available at our time of posting this morning. Personnel numbers and containment percentages remain the same.

Derby Fire quick facts:
August 24, 2025
Total acreage: 5,248 acres
0% containment
525 personnel/resources
#DerbyFire#FireYear2025

Morning sunlight rises over the tents at the Derby Fire Incident Command Post near Eagle, CO. Mobile incident command posts often use yurts or tents as workspace for the units involved in managing incidents. Photo by Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3.

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1

Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning
Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres | Elk Fire: 14,518 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 86% |  Elk Fire: 100%
287 Total Personnel;   5 Helicopters;   12 Engines;   3 Hand Crews;   5 Water Tenders;   3 Dozers

KEY Message

The FDNY Type 3 Incident Management Team has arrived on the incident and will be shadowing the Northern Rockies Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 today. Command of the Lee Fire will be turned over to the FDNY Type 3 Team at 0600 Monday morning. The Elk Fire will be returned to the local unit at the same time.

Current Status

Lee Fire – Yesterday aviation was utilized to cool down hot spots adjacent to the perimeter. Crews continued their increased patrols and perimeter checks, extinguished hot spots and strengthened lines where needed. Today firefighters will remove the last of the structure protection equipment. Patrols will continue along the fire perimeter. Crews will finish chipping operations and continue debris removal operations from previous fuels reduction work.

Elk Fire – Resources have completed the planned suppression repair and will be returning command of the fire back over to the local unit. There will be no more updates on this fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Scattered rain showers are expected on Sunday afternoon with the possibility of thunderstorm development. A week-long wet pattern will bring rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the fire area, with notable wetting rainfall by the end of the week. Numerous thunderstorms each day could bring heavy rain, small hail, lightning, and outflow winds of 25-35 mph.

Closures and Special Messages

For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the Rio 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

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

#DerbyFire Ops Update Saturday afternoon, Aug. 23, 2025

Operations Section Chief, Philip Knaub, provides an overview of firefighting tactics.

Derby Fire: No significant growth overnight and less active today

There was no significant growth on the Derby Fire north of Dotsero, CO overnight. Night operations focused on structure protection in the Sweetwater Canyon area. The fire has been less active today.

Hotshot crews are working to construct and improve fireline directly adjacent to the fire’s edge along the southwest side. Conditions this afternoon have allowed firefighters to conduct a burnout operation on the southern edge of the fire, as discussed in the video here. Smoke may be more visible during the operation. Air resources are on hand for support.

Derby Fire official information

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

EAGLE COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso@eaglecountyso
________________

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

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1

Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning
Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres | Elk Fire: 14,518 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 80% |  Elk Fire: 100%
355 Total Personnel;   5 Helicopters;   15 Engines;   3 Hand Crews;   7 Water Tenders;   2 Dozers

KEY Message

Rio Blanco County has OPENED the Piceance Creek Road (CR 5). Crews are still working in this area so please use caution, reduce driving speed, and give them space to work.  

Current Status

Lee Fire – Afternoon storms yesterday produced nearly 0.20 inch of rain in Meeker, but no measurable amount over the fire area. Suppression efforts were successful in the northwestern corner of the fire area on a hot spot that was detected. Consequently, firefighters increased foot patrols and perimeter checks, extinguishing hot spots and strengthening lines were needed. Today crews will begin chipping and debris removal operations left over from previous fuels reduction work. With the potential for more thunderstorms with frequent lightning and gusty outflow winds, initial attack resources have been identified and are ready in the event of new starts.

Elk Fire – Resources have completed much of the planned suppression repair efforts and hope to complete this work by end of shift.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected again today with gusty winds and frequent lightning being the main concerns. Sunday onward, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected daily with moderate to heavy rainfall being the main concerns. This will lead to an elevated level of concern for burn scar debris flows and flash flooding into early next week.

Closures and Special Messages

For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the Rio 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

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire quick facts: August 23, 2025, 8:15 am

Total acreage: 4,112 acres
0% containment
378 personnel/resources
#DerbyFire#FireYear2025

Structure protection and assessment efforts are ongoing. Handcrews and heavy equipment will continue to build and improve control lines, supported by air resources as weather conditions allow.

Derby Fire official information

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

EAGLE COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso@eaglecountyso
________________

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

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Here is the #DerbyFire briefing. We sincerely apologize for the delay, there were extreme technical difficulties we hope to have ironed out tomorrow.

Northern Rockies CIMT – Team 3 give an update on the current situation of the Derby Fire for August 21st, 2025.

Community meeting tonight

Please join us for a community meeting tonight at 6:30 pm at the Gypsum Town Hall, 50 Lundgren Blvd, Gypsum, CO. Spanish language translation will be available. We will try again with live streaming.

The Derby Incident Operations Section Chief and Incident Commander, as well as the Eagle County Sheriff, will provide an update on the current situation and operational strategies. Officials will be available for questions after the update.

For more information on the Derby Fire, please visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-derby-fire

Email: 2025.Derby@firenet.gov
Fire Information Line: 970-355-3283 (staffed 8am – 8pm)