Type 3 Incident Management Team Patrick Kieran, Incident Commander
The Derby fire is now 70% contained, but despite the fire activity lessening, it is still important to remember that this is an active fire. There is still a significant amount of firefighter traffic and work occurring, and the closures remain in place for the safety of both firefighters and the public.
Information: Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District (970) 827-5715 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) Colorado River Valley Office (970) 876-9000 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Start Date: 08/16/25 Location: 13 miles north of Dotsero, Colo. Cause: Lightning Size: 5,453 acres Containment: 65% Personnel: 206
Current Situation
The containment of the Derby fire has increased to 65 percent. Fire managers are not expecting further fire growth, and this is the last daily update unless the situation changes. Information will continue to be posted to the Derby Fire Colorado Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DerbyFire/, and Inciweb, https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-derby-fire
The type 3 incident management organization will continue strengthening control lines as well as ongoing suppression repair work over the next several days. Fire managers will continue to downsize and remove equipment as needed.
We thank the local communities for their support during this firefighting effort.
Weather and Fire Behavior – Rain showers may occur, bringing along isolated thunderstorms. In the afternoon, gusty and erratic winds can be expected near isolated thunderstorms with potential for gusty outflow winds.
Evacuations and Closures
Fire restrictions and closures remain in place for Bureau of Land Management areas, https://www.blm.gov/ucr-fire-restrictions, and the White River National Forest, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/ . BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office, White River National Forest, and Garfield and Eagle counties are under stage 1 fire restrictions.
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 https://tfr.faa.gov.
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Actualización final para el Incendio Derby 8 de septiembre de 2025
Equipo de gestión de incidentes tipo 3 Patrick Kieran, Comandante de Incidentes
Información: Distrito de Guardabosques de Eagle-Holy Cross (970) 827-5715 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) Oficina del Valle del RÃo Colorado (970) 876-9000 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Fecha de inicio: 16/08/25 Ubicación: 13 millas al norte de Dotsero, Colorado. Causa: Relámpago Tamaño: 5,453 acres Contención: 65% Personal: 206
Situación actual:
la contención del incendio de Derby ha aumentado al 65 por ciento. Los administradores de incendios no esperan un mayor crecimiento del fuego, y esta es la última actualización diaria a menos que la situación cambie. La información continuará publicándose en la página de Facebook de Derby Fire Colorado, https://www.facebook.com/DerbyFire/ y Inciweb, https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-derby-fire
La organización de gestión de incidentes tipo 3 continuará fortaleciendo las lÃneas de control, asà como el trabajo de reparación de supresión en curso durante los próximos dÃas. Los administradores de incendios continuarán reduciendo el tamaño y retirando el equipo según sea necesario.
Agradecemos a las comunidades locales por su apoyo durante este esfuerzo de extinción de incendios.
las restricciones y cierres de incendios permanecen vigentes para las áreas de la Oficina de Administración de Tierras, https://www.blm.gov/ucr-fire-restrictions y el https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/ del Bosque Nacional White River. La Oficina de Campo de BLM Colorado River Valley, el Bosque Nacional White River y los condados de Garfield y Eagle están bajo restricciones de incendios de etapa 1.
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
With the reduction in fire activity and resources assigned, the complexity of the Derby Fire is decreasing. In response, a Type Three Incident Management organization will officially take command of the Derby Fire on Saturday at 6:00 a.m. The Incident Commander will be Patrick Kieran. Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Three would like to thank the citizens of Garfield and Eagle County for your hospitality. Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Three Incident Commander Ben Sanders talks about our time at the Derby Fire.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. —Today, the Bureau of Land Management issued a public land closure order to reopen some public lands in Garfield and Eagle Counties that were closed because of the Derby Fire. This modified order is effective immediately.
BLM issued the emergency closure Aug. 20 to ensure public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts and to reduce exposure to hazardous situations due to fire behavior of the Derby Fire.
This closure affects: BLM lands north and west of the town of Gypsum, Colorado that are north of Sweetwater Road; west of the Colorado River; east of the White River National Forest boundary, and south of Red Dirt Road.
Please refer to the map and closure order (on the BLM website) for detailed information on the lands that are closed.
This order will remain in effect until fire managers declare the Derby Fire controlled or BLM rescinds the order. The public is to remain clear of the areas still closed. Please use caution and watch for firefighters when traveling in the area.
Violations of this emergency order may lead to prosecution, with fines and possible imprisonment.
We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety and resource integrity during this critical time. For more information about the land closure, please call the Colorado River Valley Field Office front desk at 970-876-9000.
The two Garfield County ready (green) evacuation zones for the Derby Fire are lifted due to successful suppression efforts and moist weather conditions.
Zone 265 and zone 268 in Garfield County west and south of the Derby Fire containment lines are no longer in any evacuation preparation status. Stage 1 fire restrictions still apply in these areas, including in the White River National Forest.
As fire complexity decreases and assigned resources are scaled appropriately, crews remain on scene to continue suppression efforts with a goal of full containment. While fire suppression efforts continue, smoke is expected to remain visible throughout the season, likely until snowfall arrives.
Evacuation zones for the Lee Fire were lifted August 26, so no further zone statuses are in effect in Garfield County on either the Lee or Derby fires.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office offers a sincere thank you to our residents for preparing to evacuate and monitoring fire spread and official status updates in the Ready-Set-Go model during both the Lee and Derby fires. Garfield County Emergency Management will continue using this model for future evacuation updates to alert the community during incident management.
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and staff, Garfield County Emergency Management, and Garfield County leadership and staff extend our deepest gratitude to Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3, the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Teams 1 and 3, FDNY Incident Management Team, and the incoming Derby Fire Type 3 incident management team for their excellence in fire strategy and suppression on behalf of public safety for our residents.
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
Hear from a couple in the Sweetwater community, who were evacuated during the initial parts of the fire, and came back to see the works crews have done to protect their home. #derbyfire#FireYear2025
Size: 5,453 Total Personnel: 470 Containment: 42% Cause: Lightning Resources: 4 Aircraft | 7 Hand Crews | 18 Engines | 5 Heavy Equipment
Transition to Type 3 Team:
With a reduction in fire activity and resources assigned, the complexity of the Derby Fire is decreasing. In response, a Type 3 incident management organization will officially take command of the Derby Fire on Saturday at 6:00 a.m. While the management of the fire will transfer to a different team, resources are remaining to perform fire suppression. However, personnel are being released to ensure staffing levels match the operational needs of the incident while maintaining the capability to respond should conditions change.
Current Situation:
Firefighters are continuing work on the western fire edge. Thursday, hotshots worked with Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly known as drones, to identify hotspots and extinguish them within the Flat Top Wilderness area.
On the eastern side of the fire, crews are working to reinforce a section of fireline that climbs north through the rugged terrain near the Poison Creek drainage. Air resources assisted in delivering gear and equipment to eliminate the need for firefighters to carry it in, as one crew will utilize a spike camp to continue working in a more remote area. Medical personnel and equipment will remain nearby to support firefighters if necessary.
On the southeast part of the fire, crews have begun suppression repair, in collaboration with a resource advisor (READ). A READ’s role is to advise incident personnel to identify and mitigate impacts of fire suppression activities on natural and cultural resources. Part of the suppression repair is focusing on fireline near historic cabins and a portion of the Ute-Sweetwater Trail.
Suppression repair consists of restoring areas disturbed by fireline construction, staging areas, helipads, and other operational activities to pre-fire conditions. Heavy equipment is used to pull back the removed vegetation over the dozer lines. Replacing vegetation helps prevent soil erosion and makes it easier for the environment to recover.
Weather & Fire Behavior:
A change in weather will bring a heavy cloud cover, scattered showers, and possible thunderstorms throughout the day with a temperature drop to 65 degrees. The potential for fire activity is low.
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 https://tfr.faa.gov.
Derby Fire Information
Phone: 970-355-3283 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) Email: 2025.Derby@firenet.gov
Actualización Diaria para el Incendio Derby – el 5 de septiembre de 2025
Equipo 3 del Manejo de Incidentes Complejos del Ãrea de las Montañas Rocosas Comandantes del Incidente: Casey Cheesbrough, Jay Miller, Ben Sanders
Información del incendio: 970-355-3283 Acres: 5,453 Personal: 470 Contención: 42% Causa: Rayos Recursos: 4 aeronaves | 7 cuadrillas | 18 camiones de bomberos | 5 equipo pesados
Transferencia de mando al Equipo Tipo 3:
Con la reducción de la actividad del incendio y la cantidad de recursos asignados al incendio, la complejidad del incendio Derby está disminuyendo. En respuesta, una organización de gestión de incidentes Tipo 3 asumirá oficialmente el mando del incendio Derby el sábado a las 6:00 a.m. Si bien la gestión del incendio se transferirá a otro equipo, se mantienen los recursos para la extinción. Sin embargo, se está liberando personal para garantizar que la dotación se ajuste a las necesidades operativas del incidente, manteniendo la capacidad de respuesta ante posibles cambios en las condiciones.
La reparación de supresión consiste en restaurar las áreas afectadas por la construcción de cortafuegos, áreas de estacionamiento, helipuertos y otras actividades operativas a las condiciones previas al incendio. Se utiliza equipo pesado para poner la vegetación retirada en las lÃneas de excavadoras. La reposición de vegetación ayuda a prevenir la erosión del suelo y facilita la recuperación del medio ambiente.
Las restricciones y cierres por incendios se permanecen vigentes en los terrenos bajo la administración de la Oficina de Administración de Tierras del Valle del RÃo Colorado, https://www.blm.gov/ucr-fire-restrictions, y el Bosque Nacional White River. Consulte las alertas forestales crÃticas y de restricciones por incendios en https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/. Las restricciones de incendios han bajado a la Etapa 1.
After careful consideration, Garfield County, CO, the Garfield County Sheriff, Upper Colorado River District Bureau of Land Management, the White River National Forest and the seven fire districts in Garfield County moved from stage II fire restrictions to stage I fire restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. MST Friday September 5, 2025. The fire danger is still high but less than it was for the past several weeks when we were under stage II restrictions.
Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to include moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability
WHAT STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS MEAN IN GARFIELD COUNTY
Fireworks are not allowed under stage I fire restrictions. Professional fireworks shows may be allowed through the permitting process.
All burn permits are postponed/canceled until further notice.
Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed areas (i.e. a permanent in-ground containment structure or store bought fire pit). A temporary fire pan and rock campfire rings will are not acceptable.
No fires of any type including charcoal in undeveloped areas.
No smoking except within a designated area, enclosed vehicle or building, a developed area or in an area free of combustibles.
No use of fireworks or explosive materials, including “exploding†targets or bullets and tracer rounds.
Exercise common sense and industry safety practice when welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame always cleared safe area of vegetation and combustibles.
Penalties
Causing a fire during fire restrictions can be a class 6 felony and can be punishable by fines. Other possible charges range from a class 2 felony to a petty offense, depending on the value of the damage caused. You may be held financially responsible for damage caused.
federal lands
The use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, including exploding targets, are always prohibited on federal lands.
By definition:
A “developed area” is an area, whether within city limits or rural, that is groomed, manicured and or watered, where grasses, brush and trees are regularly attended to by land owner. This includes residential and business areas, improved recreational areas, parks and other common areas.
“Undeveloped areas” are lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined by the authority having jurisdiction or designee to be an undue wildland fire hazard.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
#DerbyFire Operations Update, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. Operations Section Chief Chief Nick Collard talks about today’s operations which include increasing security depth on areas around the fire and suppression repair as well.
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
A Resource Advisor, or REAF, helps guide firefighting efforts so that important natural and cultural resources are protected during a wildfire. They work with incident management and crews to make sure suppression tactics are effective while also caring for the land, water, wildlife, and special places at risk. READ/REAF Morgan Wooderson explains her work here at the Derby Fire. #derbyfire #FireYear2025
