June 25, 2026, 9:11 a.m. – Thanks to firefighters’ efforts yesterday, the fire remains at 316 acres.
Overnight moisture provides favorable conditions for firefighter suppression efforts. Today, crews will focus on securing the fire perimeter and extinguishing hot spots on the interior area of the fire perimeter. Smoke dispersal forecasts improved smoke dispersal this afternoon.
Resources assigned include three Type 2 hand crews, one suppression module, 11 fire engines, two water tenders, and one aircraft available if needed.
For the latest evacuation information, visit Garfield County’s evacuation map: https://bit.ly/drycreekfire. Firefighters remain active throughout the incident area, and increased fire apparatus traffic is expected. Please avoid the area if possible.
Information channels
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office FACEBOOK – Garfield County Sheriff’s Office #facebook.com/GarcoSheriff Garfield County Emergency Management INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com and Reachwell mobile app
Issued for Moffat, Routt, Grand, Rio Blanco, Eagle, Summit, Garfield, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Jackson, Lake, Park, Teller, Chaffee, Custer, Huerfano, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Las Animas, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache and Fremont counties. Issued at 8:12 a.m. MDT, Thursday, June 25, 2026
Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Affected area: Moffat, Routt, Grand, Rio Blanco, Eagle, Summit, Garfield, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Jackson, Lake, Park, Teller, Chaffee, Custer, Huerfano, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Las Animas, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache and Fremont counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Grand Junction, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Nucla, Walden, Leadville, Fairplay, Cripple Creek, Buena Vista, Salida, Westcliffe, Walsenburg, Del Norte, South Fork, Alamosa, Kim, Trinidad, San Luis, Conejos, Saguache and Canon City.
Advisory in effect: 9 a.m. MDT, Thursday, June 25, 2026 to 9 a.m. MDT, Friday, June 26, 2026.
Public health recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
Outlook: Smoke from several fires burning in Utah and Nevada is being transported into Colorado and is expected to impact air quality through at least Thursday morning. Smoke levels could increase or decrease rapidly at times during the advisory period due to the very unstable atmospheric conditions.
June 24, 2026, 2:57 p.m. – Firefighters have made good progress constructing direct handline and installing hose lays along the western perimeter of the fire. The eastern perimeter is secure, and crews are focused on extinguishing interior hot spots.
Current resources assigned to the incident include three type 2 hand crews, a suppression module, nine fire engines, and two water tenders. Aircraft are in the area and available if needed.
Evacuations are expected to remain in effect as forecasted winds are expected to test established fire lines and electric lines are inspected. Visit https://bit.ly/drycreekfire for Garfield County’s evacuation map for all evacuation updates.
June 23, 2026 – Garfield County, CO, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, the U.S. Forest Service in Garfield County, and the seven Fire Districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective at 1 a.m. Friday June 26, 2026. This applies to all of Garfield County.
This decision was made with thoughtful consideration. We look at the data as well as the potential for significant wildfires and balance it with the impacts to our community. The current active wildfires in Colorado have already stretched our available resources and effected our ability to respond as necessary.
Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to including moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors, and firefighting resource availability.
What Stage 2 Fire Restrictions mean in Garfield County
A) Use of fireworks – Not permitted
B) Burn permits (General) – No burn permits will be issued. All previously issued burn permits are cancelled.
C) Recreational fires- No recreational fires
D) Cooking fires – Use caution and keep attended. Cooking devices must be clean (including gas cylinder) and in proper working order.
Gas Grills – No permit required.
Charcoal and other solid fuel grills and cookers – No permit required in developed areas only.
In undeveloped areas, a permit from the local fire department may be required.
E) Smoking – Open smoking allowed in developed areas.
In undeveloped areas, allowed only in an enclosed vehicle or building.
F) Welding and spark-emitting cutting (hot work) – Developed area: Use extreme caution and take preventative measures as necessary.
Undeveloped area: Industrial use only. A permit from the local fire department may be required. Must be in a cleared area at least 10 feet in diameter with a designated lookout. Must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available.
G) Operating of internal combustion engine-powered equipment, such as chainsaws, hand-held tools, or generators without a spark-arresting device is prohibited. If described equipment does have a spark arresting device, you must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available, and round-point shovel (36? length minimum) shall be readily available for use.
H) Other internal combustion engine-powered equipment, such as tractors and mowers: Operate with extreme caution paying special attention in areas subject to extreme conditions that may be susceptible to ignition (dry weeds and grasses, etc.).
I) Use of explosives, explosive targets and steel or tracer bullets – not permitted.
J) Use of firearms – steel jacket/core bullets (armor piercing) and tracer bullets are expressly prohibited. It is the responsibility of each independent range to ensure safe fire conditions at all times the range is in use. This includes: mitigating fuels that may potentially catch fire; monitoring downrange conditions/impacts; maintaining the ability to access and rapidly extinguish fires; notifying the local fire department immediately in the event of a fire of any size. Keeping a usable fire-extinguishing application method on hand is strongly recommended.
If shooting at an unattended range – including those on public and private property – the responsibility for ensuring safe fire conditions falls on the independent shooter.
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 landowner. 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 parklands, 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.
The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people through professional, ethical and compassionate conduct.
June 23, 2026, 5:47 p.m. – Please follow garfieldcounty.net for evacuation updates.
All evacuees can go to the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle.
For power outage information, please go to the Xcel Energy outage map.
Acreage has been updated to 287.8 acres.
Pre-evacuation notice
June 23, 2026, 4:26 p.m – Grass Mesa, south of Rodeo Drive and Coyote Trail: due to fire, please prepare for possible evacuation orders issued by Colorado River Fire Rescue. You will receive another message if evacuations are ordered.
June 23, 2026, 4:34 p.m. – The UCR Type 3 Incident Management Team has been ordered. ICP Location is being established. Additional air resources have been ordered including, two large air tankers, two helicopters, and Air Attack.
June 23, 2026, 4:27 p.m. – The fire has jumped County Road 319. Additional mutual aid resources have been requested by Incident Command.
June 23, 2026, 4 p.m. – Evacuation updates:
Grass Mesa Rd. north of Gage Rd.
Sunset Lane
Gage Rd north of mile marker 1
ALL evacuees can go to the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle.
Additional air tankers and two IA crews have been ordered.
June 23, 2026, 3:27 p.m. – Crews are responding to a reported structure fire south of Rifle on Gage Road. Additional structures and gas infrastructures are threatened. Air resources, mutual aid, and interagency resources have also been ordered.
Please avoid the area and give emergency responders room to work. Use caution if traveling nearby and watch for emergency vehicles.
More information will be shared as it becomes available.
I-70 eastbound both lanes open at mile marker 109 (Canyon Creek). One lane open westbound I-70 at Glenwood Springs. There is still a westbound closure at Dotsero.
Glenwood Springs Fire Department
UPDATE – 8:10 p.m. 6/9: I-70 eastbound is now open in both lanes.
I-70 westbound is opening in stages. Traffic at the Glenwood Springs exit, 116, is being released westbound through one open lane on I-70 in the first stage. Once that queue has been lessened, westbound traffic held at the Dotsero exit, 133, will be released.
Colorado Department of Transportation
I-70 both directions is CLOSED – 6:20 p.m. (6/8/2026)
I-70 remains closed in both directions from Chacra, Mile Point 109, to Dotsero, MP 133, due to an active fire. There is no estimated time for opening. Commuters are encouraged to use the norther detour route.
Westbound travelers:
> Take the Wolcott Exit, 159, north on CO 131, to US 40. Stay on US 40 past Craig, then take CO 13 southbound back to I-70 at Rifle.
Eastbound travelers:
> Take the Rifle Exit north on CO 13 to US 40. Take US 40 through Craig to CO 131. Take CO 131 south to Wolcott and back onto I-70.
For further updates, check COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner App.
Glenwood Springs Fire Department
UPDATE 7:30 pm – The aircraft has been released for the evening. Both eastbound lanes are expected to reopen shortly, along with one westbound lane.
UPDATE 6:42 pm – I-70 is expected to remain closed for an undetermined amount of time. We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as crews continue their work.
With back-to-back Red Flag days and challenging wind conditions, we are especially grateful to have air support assisting with fire suppression efforts. The safety of our community and responders remains the top priority, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
June 9, 2026, 4:40 p.m. – The fire size has been re-estimated at 8 – 10 acres in size.
Approximately 44 firefighters are working to stop fire growth in steep and rocky terrain. Due to high winds in the area, fixed wing aircraft are unable to operate at this time.
June 9, 2026, 4:07 p.m. – This fire has been named the Paradise Fire and is estimated at 20 acres. Two helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft are en route to assist with suppression efforts. Aircraft will be refilling bucket drops from the Colorado River. I-70 will remain closed at this time. _____________________________
ACTUALIZACIĂ“N 4:40 p. m.
El tamaño del incendio ha sido reestimado entre 8 y 10 acres.
Aproximadamente 44 bomberos trabajan para detener el crecimiento del fuego en un terreno empinado y rocoso. Debido a los fuertes vientos en la zona, las aeronaves no pueden operar en este momento.
Las siguientes agencias están respondiendo a este incidente en un esfuerzo conjunto de ayuda mutua:
Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
Colorado River Fire Rescue
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
Colorado Department of Transportation
Todas estas entidades colaboran en las labores de respuesta y control del incendio.
Este incendio ha sido nombrado Paradise Fire y se estima que abarca aproximadamente 20 acres.
Dos helicĂłpteros y dos aeronaves están en camino para ayudar en las labores de supresiĂłn del incendio. Las aeronaves recargarán agua para las descargas con balde desde el rĂo Colorado.
Estamos respondiendo a un incendio junto a la I-70 en direcciĂłn oeste, en el marcador de milla 112 en South Canyon. El Departamento de Bomberos y Rescate del RĂo Colorado está respondiendo en apoyo mutuo. La I-70 en direcciĂłn oeste está siendo cerrada en el marcador de milla 112.
Photos courtesy of Glenwood Springs Fire Department
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
June 9, 2026, 3:15 p.m. – Both directions of I-70 are now closed at the 112 milepost.
Glenwood Springs Fire Department
June 9, 2026, 3:02 p.m. – Glenwood Springs Fire Department is responding to a brush fire on westbound I-70 at milepost 112 in South Canyon. Colorado River Fire Rescue is responding in mutual aid. I-70 westbound is being closed at milepost 112.
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
June 9, 2026, 3:06 p.m. – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 112 WB, South Canyon, due to a fire.
June 8, 2026, 3:44 p.m. – Samson Mesa Fire, a brush fire to the west of County Road 339/County Road 300, in the area of Keinath Ranch. Crews are currently on scene battling the blaze. Air support is also on scene. We will update when additional information is available. Thank you.
June 5, 2026, 10:47 a.m. – The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning below 8,000 feet for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. MDT Sunday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels is in effect from Monday morning through Tuesday evening.
AFFECTED AREA: In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 205 Colorado River Headwaters below 8,000 feet.
TIMING: For the Red Flag Warning, from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. MDT, Sunday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Monday morning through Tuesday evening.
WINDS: Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 11 to 16 percent.
IMPACTS: Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.
Precautionary/preparedness actions
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.
May 6, 2026, 12:12 p.m. – This morning, around 9:40 a.m., the Colorado State Patrol responded to the area of Highway 6 near Mile Pond Road (milepost 95) for a report of a passenger train that struck a semi-tanker truck on the train tracks.
The semi-tanker was split open due to the crash, spilling an estimated 6,000 gallons of road oil onto the ground. The driver of the semi-tanker was taken to an area hospital for minor injuries. Six passenger cars and two locomotives were derailed as a result of the crash, with the rail being damaged/split in areas. The rail line will be closed for an extended period of time for repairs. It is unknown at this time how many passengers were on the train; however, it is reported that no passengers suffered any injuries. Local buses will be transporting passengers to a safe location.
Highway 6 will be closed for an extended period of time. For road closure information, please visit COTrip.org for more information.
The Colorado State Patrol is the lead investigating agency for this incident. Any new information will be released in an update to this press release.
