Derby Fire: August 26, 2025 Derby Fire Update

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

August 26, 2025 Derby Fire Update
#DerbyFire#FireYear2025

Derby Fire update document
Derby Fire update document – Spanish
Derby Fire smoke outlook
Derby Fire Map August 26, 2025

White River National Forest
Fire Information 970-355-3283; 2025.Derby@firenet.gov; www.facebook.com/derbyfire

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-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.

derby fire map August 26, 25

Incendio Derby 2025

Bosque Nacional White River

InformaciĂłn de incendios 970-355-3283; 2025.Derby@firenet.gov; www.facebook.com/derbyfire
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrf-derby-fire

26 de agosto de 2025

Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte,
Comandante de Incidente Mike Behrens

UbicaciĂłn: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO
Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025;
Causa: Rayos
Tamaño: Est. 5346 acres
FinalizaciĂłn/ContenciĂłn: 0% 844 Personal total

Mensaje clave:

Se puede acceder nuevamente a Coffeepot Road desde su intersección con Colorado River Road, ya que el extremo sur del cierre de Colorado River Road se ha trasladado hacia el norte. Las Oficinas del condado de Eagle y del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield han cambiado el estado de evacuación de Sweetwater Valley y Sheep Creek a estado “LISTOS”, la etapa 2 que significa del proceso de evacuaciones que significa “prepárese y esté alerta”.

Estado actual:

El lunes por la mañana cayó 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 continúan construyendo líneas de control a lo largo de los flancos este, sur y oeste a partir de una red de carreteras, una línea de excavadoras y una línea de mano. Trabajarán para reforzar y ampliar estas líneas de control según lo permitan el clima y las condiciones. Aproximadamente tres cuartas partes del reciente crecimiento en el perímetro este se han detenido con nuevas líneas de control. Los equipos de protección 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 instalación de equipos de rociadores y la retirada de los combustibles circundantes. Los gestores de incidentes organizaron una reunión comunitaria el lunes por la noche para interactuar con el público 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.

Cierres y mensajes especiales

Los condados Eagle y Garfield han cambiado el estado de evacuaciĂłn para los residentes de Sweetwater Valley y Sheep Creek a “SET”, la etapa 2 del proceso de evacuaciones que significa “prepárese y estĂ© alerta”. Las zonas GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366 y 369 están en estado previo a la evacuaciĂłn. Para más informaciĂłn, incluido dĂłnde refugiarse y recursos para mascotas y ganado, visite https://arcg.is/S0u4G o https://sites.google.com/eaglec…/ecemergencyespanol/inicio.

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.

El Servicio Forestal y BLM han emitido Ăłrdenes de cierre pĂşblico en las cercanĂ­as del incendio para proteger la seguridad pĂşblica y de los bomberos. La orden de cierre y el mapa del Bosque Nacional White River están publicados en https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver. La orden de cierre y el mapa de la Oficina de Campo del Valle del RĂ­o Colorado de BLM se publican en https://www.blm.gov/…/blm-issues-land-closure-garfield…. Existe una restricciĂłn temporal de vuelo (TFR por sus siglas en inglĂ©s) sobre el incendio de Derby.

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


Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

_______________

EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAP REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

________________

GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: August 26, 2025 Derby Fire Update

Derby Fire: Weather update video

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.

Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

_______________

EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAPREGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

________________

GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: Weather update video

Derby Fire: Operations morning update

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.

Derby Fire official information:

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

_______________

EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

________________

GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: Operations morning update

Lee Fire: Daily update August 26

FDNY Incident Management Team

Incident Commander Mike Burke

Lee Fire update document

Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 138,844 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 90%
208 Total Personnel; 1 Helicopter; 10 Engines; 1 Hand Crew; 1 Water Tender; 2 Dozers

KEY MESSAGE
Today, crews are continuing repair work in areas affected by suppression activities, following agency standards and working closely with Resource Advisors. These efforts aim to reduce the impacts of firefighting operations while protecting important natural and cultural resources. Fireline is being restored to local and agency standards, and patrols are underway to ensure the fire remains secure within its current footprint. Suppression repair operations will continue under the approved Suppression Repair Plan, minimizing impacts and supporting progress toward full containment

CURRENT STATUS
Yesterday, the FDNY Incident Management Team formally assumed command of the Lee Fire. Updated acreage was reported following the most recent infrared flight, which was completed after several earlier cancellations due to unfavorable weather conditions. This flight provided a clearer picture of current fire activity and perimeter status. Across all divisions, crews continued suppression repair, and debris removal, working closely with Resource Advisors to mitigate impacts and restore affected areas. These efforts remain a priority as containment objectives progress and conditions allow.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
The monsoonal pattern remains firmly in place, with rainfall probabilities near 100% over the coming days. Widespread cloud cover with embedded showers is moving across the area. Should clearing occur by midday, stronger thunderstorms are likely to develop, increasing the potential for flash flooding. If cloud cover persists, conditions remain limited to lighter, intermittent rain with minimal lightning or heavy downpours.

lee fire map 8-26-25

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/
USFS White River National Forest and BLM closure rescission information is available
Lee Fire: Daily update August 26

Derby Fire: Facts – August 26

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire Quick Facts: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Total acreage: 5,346 acres
0% containment
844 personnel

Firefighters tested structure protection systems yesterday in the Sweetwater Canyon area. In this photo, a sprinkler wets down the lawn of a resident, drawing water from a foldable water tank. The water tanks are filled by fire engines or water tenders.

Pumps push the water from the water tank through hose lays to the sprinkler systems. Photo by Stephen Rawding/Derby Fire.

Derby Fire: Facts – August 26

Derby Fire: Community meeting video

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire Community Meeting video – Gypsum, CO August 25, 2025

 

Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

_______________

EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

________________

GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: Community meeting video

Derby Fire: Road closure point at Colorado River and Coffee Pot roads

Eagle County Sheriff’s Office

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office has made a change to the Colorado River Road closure near Dotsero, CO, moving the closure from north of the Dotsero roundabout to just north of the intersection of Colorado River and Coffee Pot roads. Coffee Pot Road is now open to non-local traffic. Colorado River Road remains closed to all non-local residents and non-emergency traffic north of this intersection. A security checkpoint is in place at this point.

#DerbyFire

Photo: A law enforcement officer serves at the security checkpoint on Colorado River Road. Photo by Stephen Rawding/Derby Fire.

8-25-25 Road closure sign with deputy and service dog
Derby Fire: Road closure point at Colorado River and Coffee Pot roads

NWS: A strong thunderstorm will impact south central Garfield County

National Weather Service

Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus CO-Debeque to Silt Corridor CO-151 PM MDT Mon Aug 25 2025

Map of area

A strong thunderstorm will impact south central Garfield County through 2:15 p.m. MDT

At 1:51 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 18 miles northwest of De Beque, or 28 miles north of Grand Junction, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE
Radar indicated.

IMPACT
Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central Garfield County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

NWS: A strong thunderstorm will impact south central Garfield County

Derby Fire: Daily update August 25

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens

Derby Fire update document
Derby Fire update document – Spanish
Derby Fire smoke outlook
Derby Fire community meeting flyer 8/25/25

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.

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/r02/whiteriver/alerts/expanded-derby-fire-closure. The BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office’s closure order and map are posted at https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-issues-land-closure-garfield-and-eagle-counties-firefighting-activities. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Derby Fire. 

Please find attached a pdf of the Smoke Outlook for the Derby Fire in NW Colorado. Detailed forecasts for specific locations are available here: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4d276598?

Cows grazing in the foreground with staged fire engines while the Derby Fire burns across the foothills in the background.

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.

Incedio Derby

Bosque Nacional White River 

InformaciĂłn sobre incendios: 970-355-3283 2025; Derby@firenet.gov; https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrf-derby-fire 

24 de agosto 2025 

Equipo 3 de GestiĂłn de Incidentes Complejos de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte, 

Comandante de Incidente Mike Behrens

UbicaciĂłn: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO
Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025; 
Causa: Rayos   
Tamaño: Est. 5346 acres
FinalizaciĂłn/ContenciĂłn: 0%       
648 Personal total

Mensaje clave: 

Habrá una reuniĂłn comunitaria el lunes, el 25 de agosto a las 6:30pm en el Gypsum Town Hall. Se transmitirá en vivo por la página de Facebook de Derby Fire y simultáneamente en español en https://www.youtube.com/@DerbyFireInformation. Las Oficinas del Condado de Eagle y del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield han cambiado el estado de evacuaciĂłn de Sweetwater Valley y Sheep Creek a “LISTOS”, la etapa 2 del proceso de evacuaciones que significa “prepárese y estĂ© alerta”.

Estado actual: 

Aproximadamente tres cuartas partes del reciente crecimiento en el flanco sureste del incendio se han detenido con nuevas líneas de control. El incendio crece lentamente en otras partes de su perímetro sur, donde los bomberos están construyendo líneas de control a partir de una red de carreteras, una línea de excavadoras y una línea de mano. El domingo, trabajaron para reforzar y ampliar estas líneas de control y continuarán durante los próximos días si el clima y las condiciones lo permiten. Los equipos de protección de estructuras trabajan a lo largo de Red Dirt Creek Road. Al otro lado del incendio, han preparado más de 500 estructuras mediante la instalación de equipos de rociadores y la retirada de los combustibles circundantes. Se brindó apoyo aéreo con el lanzamiento de retardante de llama y agua en el flanco sureste del incendio.

Comportamiento del clima y el fuego

El domingo, cayeron lluvias sobre el incendio de Derby, y la probabilidad de lluvias monzónicas, posiblemente acompañadas de rayos, continuará durante la mayor parte de la semana. Podría verse humo diurno y resplandores de incendios nocturnos.

Cierres y mensajes especiales

Los condados Eagle y Garfield han cambiado el estado de evacuación para los residentes de Sweetwater Valley y Sheep Creek a “SET”, la etapa 2 del proceso de evacuaciones que significa “prepárese y esté alerta”. Las zonas GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366 y 369 están en estado previo a la evacuación. Para más información, incluido dónde refugiarse y recursos para mascotas y ganado, visite https://sites.google.com/eaglecounty.us/ecemergencyespanol/inicio

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.

El Servicio Forestal y BLM han emitido Ăłrdenes de cierre pĂşblico en las cercanĂ­as del incendio para proteger la seguridad pĂşblica y de los bomberos. La orden de cierre y el mapa del Bosque Nacional White River están publicados en https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver. La orden de cierre y el mapa de la Oficina de Campo del Valle del RĂ­o Colorado de BLM se publican en https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-issues-land-closure-garfield-and-eagle-counties-firefighting-activities. Existe una restricciĂłn temporal de vuelo (TFR por sus siglas en inglĂ©s) sobre el incendio de Derby. 


Derby Fire official information:

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

_______________

EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

________________

GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: Daily update August 25