Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire Weather update 8-27-2025
Incident Meteorologist, Ryan Fliehman, discusses the upcoming weather forecast. Light rain is expected throughout the morning today, with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. This wet pattern will continue through Thursday, with a slow drying trend beginning on Friday, extending through the weekend.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
The #DerbyFire gained almost two hundred more personnel over recent days, primarily additional handcrews and engines. Resource needs are evaluated daily and increased or decreased depending on the needs of the fire. When local and regional resources are already engaged responding to fires, resources may come from all over the country to assist. Personnel may serve up to 14-21 day shifts before they’re required to come off an incident to rest. #FireYear2025
Photo: A Florida Suppression Module gather for a photo where they were organizing and preparing structure protection equipment in the Sweetwater Canyon area during the rains on Monday, August 25, 2025. S.Rawding/Derby Fire.
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. 5,346 acres Completion/Containment: 0% 844 total personnel
Key Message:
Coffeepot Road can again be accessed from its intersection with Colorado River Rd, as the southern end of the Colorado River Road closure has been moved northward. The Garfield County and Eagle County Sheriff’s Offices have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek to pre-evacuation (SET) status.
Current Status:
Wetting rain fell across the Derby Fire on Monday morning, and fire behavior has temporarily moderated across the area. However incident managers predict wildfire activity will increase again when the weather warms and fuels dry out. Firefighters are continuing to build control lines along the east, south, and west flanks from a network of roads, dozer line, and hand line. They will work to strengthen and widen those fire lines as weather and conditions allow. About three quarters of the recent growth on the eastern perimeter has been halted with new control lines. Structure protection crews are working along Red Dirt Creek Road. Across the fire they have prepared over 500 structures by positioning sprinkler kits and removing surrounding fuels. Incident managers held a community meeting Monday evening to engage the public and answer questions.
Weather and Fire Behavior:
Wetting rains fell on the Derby Fire on Monday morning, and there is a strong likelihood that the rains will continue on Tuesday and throughout the week. Daytime smoke and nighttime fire glows may be visible at times when fuels dry out and fire activity increases.
Closures and Special Messages:
Garfield and Eagle Counties have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek to pre-evacuation (SET). Zones GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366, and 369 are also in pre-evacuation status. More evacuation information is available at https://arcg.is/S0u4G and www.ecemergency.org, including where to shelter and resources for pets and livestock.
Coffeepot Road can again be accessed from its intersection with Colorado River Road, as the southern end of the Colorado River Road closure has been moved northward to a site just past its intersection with Coffeepot. Beyond that, Colorado River Road remains closed to non-residents and unapproved traffic through its intersection with Red Dirt Creek Road.
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 closure order and map are posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/expanded-derby-fire-closure. The BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office’s closure order and map are posted at https://www.blm.gov/…/blm-issues-land-closure-garfield…. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Derby Fire.
Please see the attached photo for today’s smoke outlook.
Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte, Comandante de Incidente Mike Behrens
Ubicación: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025; Causa: Rayos Tamaño: Est. 5346 acres Finalización/Contención: 0% 844 Personal total
El lunes por la mañana cayĂł lluvia torrencial sobre el incendio Derby, y el comportamiento del fuego se ha moderado temporalmente en toda la zona. Sin embargo, los administradores de incidentes predicen que la actividad de incendios forestales aumentará de nuevo cuando el clima mejore y los combustibles se sequen. Los bomberos continĂşan construyendo lĂneas de control a lo largo de los flancos este, sur y oeste a partir de una red de carreteras, una lĂnea de excavadoras y una lĂnea de mano. Trabajarán para reforzar y ampliar estas lĂneas de control segĂşn lo permitan el clima y las condiciones. Aproximadamente tres cuartas partes del reciente crecimiento en el perĂmetro este se han detenido con nuevas lĂneas de control. Los equipos de protecciĂłn de estructuras están trabajando a lo largo de Red Dirt Creek Road. Al otro lado del incendio, han preparado más de 500 estructuras mediante la instalaciĂłn de equipos de rociadores y la retirada de los combustibles circundantes. Los gestores de incidentes organizaron una reuniĂłn comunitaria el lunes por la noche para interactuar con el pĂşblico y responder preguntas.
Comportamiento del clima y el fuego
El lunes por la mañana cayeron lluvias torrenciales sobre el incendio Derby, y es muy probable que continúen el martes y durante toda la semana. Es posible que se observe humo diurno y destellos nocturnos del fuego cuando los combustibles se sequen y aumente la actividad del incendio.
El Colorado River Road permanece cerrado para todos aquellos que no sean residentes y el tráfico no autorizado en la rotonda al norte de Dotsero hasta Red Dirt Road. Tenga en cuenta que no se puede acceder a Coffeepot Road desde su intersección con Colorado River Road.
The photos below illustrate the Derby Fire Daily update, available in English and Spanish, the public information fire map for the day, evacuation and closure map and today’s smoke outlook. These documents are also available on the Derby Fire Inciweb website here: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-derby-fire
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire Weather update 8-26-2025
Incident Meteorologist, Jason Straub, discusses the upcoming weather forecast. Monsoon moisture is coming in to the area, starting this morning and into the afternoon. We are expecting 1/10 to 2/10 inch of rain. The National Weather Service station in Grand Junction, CO has issued a flash flood warning. These rainfall rates could produce flash floods and debris flows. Rain is expected to continue tomorrow with drier air moving in later this week.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
#DerbyFire Ops Update Monday morning, Aug. 26, 2025
Operations Section Chief, Philip Knaub, discusses firefighting tactics on the Derby Fire. Due to the weather last night, we were unable to fly an infrared flight to map the fire perimeter. As the rain cleared yesterday afternoon, firefighters were access the southwest and east sides of the fireline and found no significant fire growth. As weather allows today, scouting will continue on the west side of the fire to look for opportunities to build direct fireline from the southwest up. Structure protection efforts continue in the Sweetwater drainage. Structure assessment and protection work will be ongoing along Red Dirt Creek Road on the east side. Firefighters will continue to monitor and assess the fireline to ensure the fire is not progressing.
Location: 13 miles north of Dotsero, CO Start Date: 8/16/2025; Cause: Lightning Size: Est. 5346 acres Completion/Containment: 0% 648 total personnel
Key Message:
A Community Meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 25, 6:30 PM at the Gypsum Town Hall. It will be live streamed on the Derby Fire Facebook page and simulcast in Spanish on https://www.youtube.com/@DerbyFireInformation.
The Garfield County and Eagle County Sheriff’s Offices have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek to pre-evacuation (SET) status.
Current Status:
About three quarters of the recent growth on the fire’s southeast flank has been halted with new control lines.
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 Sunday they worked to strengthen and widen those fire lines and will continue through the next several days as weather and conditions permit. Structure protection crews are working along Red Dirt Creek Road. Across the fire they have prepared over 500 structures by positioning sprinkler kits and removing surrounding fuels. Air support assisted by dropping flame retardant and water on the fire’s southeast flank.
Weather and Fire Behavior:
On Sunday, light but wetting rains fell on the Derby Fire, and the chance for monsoonal rain possibly accompanied by lighting will continue through most of the week. Daytime smoke and nighttime fire glows may be visible.
Closures and Special Messages:
Garfield and Eagle Counties have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek to pre-evacuation (SET). Zones GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366, and 369 are in pre-evacuation status. More evacuation information is available at https://arcg.is/S0u4G and www.ecemergency.org, including where to shelter and resources for pets and livestock.
The Colorado River Rd remains closed to non-residents and unapproved traffic at the roundabout north of Dotsero to Red Dirt Rd. Note that Coffeepot Rd. cannot be accessed from its intersection with Colorado River Rd.
Cows grazing in the foreground with staged fire engines while the Derby Fire burns across the foothills in the background. Photo by Matt Butler/Derby Fire.
Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte,
Comandante de Incidente Mike Behrens
Ubicación: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025; Causa: Rayos Tamaño: Est. 5346 acres Finalización/Contención: 0% 648 Personal total
El domingo, cayeron lluvias sobre el incendio de Derby, y la probabilidad de lluvias monzĂłnicas, posiblemente acompañadas de rayos, continuará durante la mayor parte de la semana. PodrĂa verse humo diurno y resplandores de incendios nocturnos.
El Colorado River Road permanece cerrado para todos aquellos que no sean residentes y el tráfico no autorizado en la rotonda al norte de Dotsero hasta Red Dirt Road. Tenga en cuenta que no se puede acceder a Coffeepot Road desde su intersección con Colorado River Road.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Please join us for a community meeting tonight, Monday, August 25, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Gypsum Town Hall, 50 Lundgren Blvd., Gypsum, CO 81637.
The community meeting will be live-streamed on the Derby Fire Colorado Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DerbyFire. A Spanish dubbed version will be live-streamed on the Derby Fire Incident YouTube page, https://www.youtube.com/@DerbyFireInformation 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.
The image below captures a flyer advertising the Derby Incident Community Meeting on Monday, August 25, 2025. This information is described in the post above.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire Weather update 8-25-2025.
Incident Meterologist, Ryan Fleihman, discusses yesterday’s weather patterns, expected conditions this morning, and over the next few days. The fire footprint received gradual afternoon rain, ranging between 1/10 inch to 1/2 inch. A cluster of storms to the west of the fire will bring light rain and lightning this morning, followed by gradual clearing of clouds, with more rain predicted in the afternoon and evening. Showers could continue overnight. Largest concern today is the potential for localized flash flooding and debris flows, especially in burn scars. Please tune in to the Grand Junction National Weather Service station for flash flood warnings.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
#DerbyFire Ops Update Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025
Operations Section Chief, Philip Knaub, discusses firefighting tactics on the Derby Fire. With the wet weather yesterday, we do not expect to see growth in fire acreage from Sunday afternoon August 24 moving into Monday morning August 25, 2025. The weather did not allow for an overnight infrared flight, which maps the fire’s perimeter and informs changes in fire acreage. However, prior to the rain, firefighters were able to continue to work on the west, southwest, south, southeast and eastern edges of the fire. Hotshot crews continue to build direct line on the west/southwest fire edge near the Hack Creek drainage. Firefighters will be assessing opportunites to build direct line along the fire edge east of where burnout operations were conducted earlier this week near the Horse Creek drainage. Where the previous fire growth has been on the southeastern side of the fire, firefighters progressed in constructing handline and dozer line along the fire edge, supported by aerial retardant drops. Fire behavior on the east side of the fire was moderate and crews will continue to build indirect fireline, assessing opportunities to go direct.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
#DerbyFire Ops Update Friday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2025
Firefighters supported by air tankers dropping retardant and helicopters with water dropping buckets are focusing on the southwest and southern portions of the fire. Tactical fireing operations are removing burnable vegetation between constructed control lines and the fire’s edge. This work is being done to slow the fire’s progress and will continue into the night shift if the weather, fuel and fire conditions allow.
