CRFR: Dry Creek Fire update

webedit,

Colorado River Fire Rescue

Firefighting helicopter drops water on the Dry Creek Fire.

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.

Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit

A helicopter dropping water on the Dry Creek Fire.

Emergency services respond to the Dry Creek Fire.

Aerial view of the Dry Creek Fire burn area.

Aerial view of the Dry Creek Fire burn area.

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

CRFR: Dry Creek Fire update

GCSO: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions begin Friday, June 26

webedit, , , , , , , , ,

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

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.
  1. Gas Grills – No permit required.
  2. Charcoal and other solid fuel grills and cookers – No permit required in developed areas only.
  3. In undeveloped areas, a permit from the local fire department may be required.
  • E) Smoking – Open smoking allowed in developed areas.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.

GCSO: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions begin Friday, June 26

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

webdev

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)

Issued for Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Dolores, San Juan, Montezuma, La Plata, Hinsdale, Mineral and Saguache Counties
Issued at 8:12 AM MDT, Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area: Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Dolores, San Juan, Montezuma, La Plata, Hinsdale, Mineral and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Aspen, Grand Junction, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Nucla, Telluride, Ouray, Dove Creek, Silverton, Cortez, Durango, Hermosa, Honeyville, Rockwood, Lake City, Creede and Saguache.

Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Wednesday, June 24, 2026 to 9:00 AM MDT, Thursday, June 25, 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.

For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

For the latest Smoke Blog, visit: https://colosmokeoutlook.blogspot.com/

For more information about smoke and your health, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke-and-health

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

CRFR: Dry Creek Fire updates

webdev,

Colorado River Fire Rescue

Dry Creek Fire Update – June 24, 2026

As of this morning, the Dry Creek Fire south of Rifle is estimated at 315 acres.

At 7:00 a.m. today, management of the fire transitioned to the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 team. During this morning’s briefing, crews reviewed current fire conditions and operational objectives before heading into the field.

Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. Crews are utilizing a full suppression strategy with direct and indirect tactics to slow the fire’s spread and construct containment lines around the fire.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for affected areas and are expected to remain in place throughout the day due to extreme fire behavior conditions and the forecasted winds are expected to test the fire line this afternoon. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by monitoring the latest evacuation information and updates at https://www.garfieldcounty.net/

Emergency services respond to the dry creek fire at night

plume of smoke from Dry Creek Fire

Emergency services respond to the dry creek fire

Aerial emergency services respond to the dry creek fire

Emergency services respond to the dry creek fire

Emergency services respond to the dry creek fire

Emergency services respond to the dry creek fire

Emergency services respond to the dry creek fire

Customers impacted by power outages can find current outage updates through Xcel Energy at https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety/outage-map

Fire personnel are working closely with Xcel Energy to inspect power lines and infrastructure so that power can be safely restored when conditions allow.

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

CRFR: Dry Creek Fire updates

Dry Creek Fire – Colorado River Fire Rescue responds to wind-driven wildland fire near Rifle

comms

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

Dry Creek Fire – Colorado River Fire Rescue responds to wind-driven wildland fire near Rifle

CRFR: Dry Creek Fire updates

webedit,

Colorado River Fire Rescue

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.

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

CRFR: Dry Creek Fire updates

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

webdev

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)

Issued for Mesa, Garfield, Montrose, Delta, San Miguel, Dolores, Ouray, San Juan, Hinsdale, Mineral, Gunnison, Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta, Saguache, Rio Grande and Conejos Counties
Issued at 2:36 PM MDT, Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area: Mesa, Garfield, Montrose, Delta, San Miguel, Dolores, Ouray, San Juan, Hinsdale, Mineral, Gunnison, Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta, Saguache, Rio Grande and Conejos Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Nucla, Delta, Telluride, Dove Creek, Ouray, Silverton, Lake City, Creede, Gunnison, Cortez, Durango, Hermosa, Honeyville, Rockwood, Pagosa Springs, Saguache, Del Norte, South Fork and Conejos.

Advisory in Effect: 3:00 PM MDT, Tuesday, June 23, 2026 to 9:00 AM MDT, Wednesday, June 24, 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 upwind states is being transported into Colorado and is expected to impact air quality Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. The potential for rapid increases in smoke levels remains possible throughout the Advisory area through Wednesday morning.

For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

For the latest Smoke Blog, visit: https://colosmokeoutlook.blogspot.com/

For more information about smoke and your health, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke-and-health

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

CRFR: Structure/wildfire response south of Rifle – evacuations in progress for Gage Road

webedit,

Colorado River Fire Rescue

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.

Colorado River Fire Rescue
CRFR website | facebook: #ColoradoRiverFireRescue

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

Aerial view of the Dry Creek Fire.

Dry Creek Fire from a gravel road.

June 23, 2026, 3:48 p.m. – Fire in the Grass Mesa area on Gage Road in Rifle. Some neighborhoods are being evacuated. Please stay clear of the area.

CRFR: Structure/wildfire response south of Rifle – evacuations in progress for Gage Road