EAGLE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE EVACUATION ORDER: Wildfire in the area of Buck Point Drive / Cottonwood Pass Road. Leave now.
Pre-evacuation warning: If you are in the area surrounding the evacuation area, be prepared.
Author: comms
Garco911: I-70 eastbound left lane open
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
7.22.26, 6:31 a.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 97 to the 105 EB, left lane only. Westbound lanes remain closed at this time.
GARCO911 – GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com | Reachwell mobile app
GCSO and CDOT: I-70 closed due to mud and water flooding
Highway 6 reopened at 11:24 pm
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.
GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
garcosheriff.com | facebook @GarcoSheriff
Colorado Department of Transportation
I-70 closed both directions due to a mudslide.
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 TRANSPORTATION
COtrip travel alerts | facebook @coloradodot
Honoring a Fallen Hero: Procession for Helicopter Pilot Nicholas Dale
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.
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CDPS website | facebook @COPublicSafety
COLORADO DIVISION OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
CDFPC website | facebook @ColoradoFire
NWS: Flash flood warning around Lee Fire burn scar
National Weather Service
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.
Carbondale Fire: White Hill fire
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District
UPDATE- 7:00 pm – the fire is out. Crews are mopping up the scene.
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ACTUALIZACIĂ“N – 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.
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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.
CARBONDALE & RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Carbondale Fire website | facebook @CarbondaleFireDistrict
Grand Valley Fire: Battlement Trail Fire update
Grand Valley Fire Protection District
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.
GRAND VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Grand Valley Fire website | facebook @Grand Valley Fire Protection District
Grand Valley Fire: photos of fire
Grand Valley Fire Protection District
Update 5:35 PM: CORD 309 Battlement to Rulison – on READY status.
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Update 5:25 PM: Battlement Mesa Village/Battlement Mesa Golf EVACUATE NOW!
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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.
GRAND VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Grand Valley Fire website | facebook @Grand Valley Fire Protection District
GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
GCSO facebook @GarcoSheriff | website
GCSO: Residents may return to homes in Battlement Mesa
Garfield County Sheriff, Grand Valley Fire
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.
En español. De Garfield County Sheriff, Grand Valley Fire – COUNTY ROAD 309 BATTLEMENT MESA TO RULISON: Debido a fire/fuego, usted se encuentra en estado de preparaciĂłn (VERDE). Prepárese, mantĂ©ngase informado y empaque sus objetos de valor. Recibirá otro mensaje si cambia el estado de su zona.
GCSO: Battlement Mesa Golf/Battlement Creek Village immediate evacuation
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
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). EvacĂşe inmediatamente. Evacuate to Grand Valley High School.