Colorado River Fire Rescue
6.23.26, 10:55 p.m. – RIFLE, Colo. — June 23, 2026 – At approximately 3:20 p.m. today, Colorado River Fire Rescue was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 899 Gage Road near Rifle. While responding, updated information indicated that brush was burning and spreading toward a structure.
Responding units observed a significant smoke column en route and requested mutual aid from Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, Glenwood Springs Fire Department and the Grand Valley Fire Protection District. Upon arrival, firefighters found a rapidly spreading wildland fire being driven by strong winds to the east and southeast.
All evacuations will remain in place overnight.
Due to the fire’s growth and the threat to infrastructure, the Mountain Area Mutual Aid (MAMA) system was activated, bringing additional resources from Eagle and Pitkin counties to assist with suppression efforts.
As of this evening, the fire has burned approximately 288 acres. One residence and one outbuilding have been confirmed lost. Fire crews continue to work through the night to contain the fire and protect threatened structures and critical infrastructure.
The Upper Colorado River (UCR) Type III Incident Management Team has been ordered and will assume command of the incident at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Colorado River Fire Rescue would like to remind residents that Garfield County is moving into Stage II Burn Restrictions on Friday, June 25, 2026. Current conditions are extremely dry, and any spark could start a fast-moving wildfire. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution in all outdoor activities and strictly comply with burn restrictions.
Colorado River Fire Rescue thanks our mutual aid partners and cooperating agencies for their assistance and continued support during this incident. We appreciate Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority for support during this incident.
For additional information and updates, please follow the official Colorado River Fire Rescue communication channels.
Leif Sackett
Fire Chief
Colorado River Fire Rescue
Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue