GCSO: Ready status areas for Sleepy Creek Fire near Cottonwood Pass

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

For the Sleepy Creek Fire near Cottonwood Pass, evacuations are enacted on the Eagle County side. Garfield County is setting READY status zones for resident preparedness. Please prepare, pack your valuables and monitor public information if you live in these areas below. A map will be available shortly.

READY STATUS

READY – possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor and pack your valuables.

  • High Aspen Ranch subdivision properties in Garfield County.
  • Coulter Creek Road (County Road 121) along the Eagle County line in the East Coulter Creek area.
  • County Road 113 (Cattle Creek Road) at Eagle County line in section T6SR87W
  • Mesa Creek area roads in Garfield County.

Ready | Set | Go

Ready – possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor and pack your valuables.
Set – Short notice evacuation likely in your area. Prepare for sudden evacuation; leave now if you need extra time.
Go – Evacuate immediately from your area. LEAVE NOW! Danger in your area.

Evacuation preparation

Prepare to evacuate quickly and safely in the event of an emergency. Planning and preparation can help you take quick action. Visit our Garfield County Emergency Management evacuation preparedness pages:

Garfield County public safety

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
REGISTER for alerts – garco911.com | Reachwell mobile app

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SUBSCRIBE for incident updates | website

GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
website | facebook: @GarcoSheriff

______________________________

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield

Debido al incendio de Sleepy Creek cerca de Cottonwood Pass, se han decretado evacuaciones en el condado de Eagle.

El condado de Garfield ha establecido zonas de alerta para la preparación de los residentes. Si vive en alguna de las zonas mencionadas, prepárese, empaque sus pertenencias de valor y manténgase informado. Próximamente estará disponible un mapa.

Prepárate

PREPARADOS: posible evacuación en su zona. Prepárense, manténganse alerta y empaquen sus objetos de valor.

  • Propiedades en la urbanización High Aspen Ranch en el condado de Garfield.
  • Carretera Coulter Creek (Carretera del Condado 121) a lo largo del límite del Condado de Eagle en el área de East Coulter Creek.
  • Carretera del condado 113 (Cattle Creek Road) en el límite del condado de Eagle en la sección T6SR87W
  • Carreteras de la zona de Mesa Creek en el condado de Garfield.

Durante una evacuación

Prepárese para evacuar rápida y seguramente en caso de emergencia. La planificación y la preparación pueden ayudarle a actuar con rapidez.

Preparate, listo, fuera graphic

Prepárate: Posible evacuación en tu zona. Prepárate, mantente informado y empaca tus objetos de valor.
Listo: Es probable una evacuación con poco aviso en tu zona. Preparate para una evacuación repentina; sal ahora si necesitas tiempo adicional.
Fuera: Evacúa tu zona de inmediato SAL AHORA! Hay peligro en su zona.

Preparación para la evacuación

Prepárese para evacuar de forma rápida y segura en caso de emergencia. La planificación y la preparación pueden ayudarle a actuar con rapidez. Visite nuestras páginas de preparación para evacuaciones de la Oficina de Gestión de Emergencias del Condado de Garfield:

Canales de información

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield
FACEBOOK – Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield # facebook.com/GarcoSheriff
Gestión de Emergencias del Condado de Garfield
ACTUALIZACIONES DE INCIDENTES/SUSCRÃBASE – garfieldcounty.net
Autoridad de Comunicaciones de Emergencia del Condado de Garfield
REGÃSTRESE PARA RECIBIR ALERTAS – garco911.com y la aplicación móvil Reachwell

GCSO: Ready status areas for Sleepy Creek Fire near Cottonwood Pass

Updates on evacuations in Eagle County

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Eagle County Sheriff’s Office

Garfield County’s Buck Point Road in Missouri Heights off of County Road 170 is several miles from this fire, and is NOT affected by the current evacuation order.

Buck Point evacuations in Eagle County are near Cottonwood Pass and within the Eagle County border.

Please visit Eagle County Sheriff’s Office facebook page for updates on the fire at this time.

EAGLE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
EC Emergency website | facebook @EagleCountySO

Updates on evacuations in Eagle County

GarCo911: I-70 remains closed between Silt and New Castle due to flooding

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

GarCo911 road closed graphic.

July 21, 2026, 3:19 p.m. – I-70 remains closed between mile-markers 97 and 105 both directions, Silt to New Castle, due to yesterday’s flooding. Westbound traffic is expected to be heavy this afternoon and evening with significant delays expected on the detour route. Please be patient and drive safely.

GarCo911: I-70 remains closed between Silt and New Castle due to flooding

CDOT: Mud, debris close I-70 between New Castle and Silt

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Colorado Department of Transportation

Colorado Department of Transportation maintenance personnel continue to work on Interstate 70 between New Castle, Mile Point 105, and Silt, MP 97, to remove tons of mud and debris covering the roadway. Detours are in place on U.S. 6.

At approximately 7 p.m. on July 20, I-70 became impassable due to a debris flow. Torrential rain and hail flooded the area, pushing mud, logs, and rocks across the roadway and overwhelming local drainages.

“A very quick, very heavy rain and hail storm brought a lot of moisture and the dry ground was not able to absorb, which caused massive flooding and piles of debris to overwhelm the drainage system in this area,†said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Jason Smith. “Our maintenance crew reacted quickly and worked in conjunction with our State Patrol partners to get the roadway closed off and route vehicles onto detours.â€

It’s estimated that the mud and debris has covered more than 300 yards of the highway and more than three feet deep in some areas.

“There is a lot of material for the crews to clear and water to drain,†said Smith. “We are working hard to get this cleared up to get this vital road back open as soon as possible.â€

A debris flow is a fast-moving, gravity-driven slurry of water-saturated rock, soil, vegetation, and other organic materials that travels down slopes. Moving like a river of liquid mud and rock, these destructive landslides can exceed speeds of 35 mph and are frequently triggered by intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt, particularly in areas recently scarred by wildfires, but can also take place in extremely dry conditions.

Extended delays are expected. Commuters are encouraged to use the COtrip.org web or COtrip Planner App for roadway updates and detour information.

Mud and debris across both directions of I-70 between New Castle and Silt.

CDOT crews working around the clock removing mud and debris across both directions of I-70 between New Castle and Silt.
CDOT: Mud, debris close I-70 between New Castle and Silt

GCSO and CDOT: I-70 closed due to mud and water flooding

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Highway 6 reopened at 11:24 pm

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

7.20.26, 11:24 pm – Highway 6 is open between mile markers 100-103 both directions, Silt and New Castle areas.

7.20.26, 9:03 pm – Highway 6 is closed between mile markers 100-103 both directions, between Silt and New Castle area, due to a land/mud slide. For the latest road conditions and a map of the detour, visit cotrip.org

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

7.20.26, UPDATE as of 7:30 pm: I-70 now closed at exit 97 Silt, eastbound and exit 105, westbound New Castle.

ROAD CLOSURES / FLOODING ALERT

Flash flooding is impacting the Peach Valley area. County Road 214 (Peach Valley Road) is completely flooded at the intersection with County Road 262 (Mid Valley Lane). Both roads are closed due to swift moving water and multiple logs in the roadway.

On I-70 in the vicinity of mile markers 101–102, approximately one mile east of Coal Ridge High School between Silt and New Castle. There are some flood waters from Peach Valley moving onto the highway.

Please use caution in these areas, as it is backing up traffic in both the east and westbound lanes of I-70.

GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
garcosheriff.com | facebook @GarcoSheriff

Colorado Department of Transportation

I-70 closed both directions due to a mudslide.

Between Exit 97: Silt (2 miles east of the Silt area) and Exit 105: New Castle (near New Castle) from Mile Point 101.5 to Mile Point 105. Road closed expect delays due to a mud slide.

Between Lyons Boulevard and Weare Lane (2 miles east of the Silt area) from Mile Point 100 to Mile Point 103. Road closed expect delays due to a mud slide.

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
COtrip travel alerts | facebook @coloradodot

Water and mud sitting on I-70 with vehicles waiting.
GCSO and CDOT: I-70 closed due to mud and water flooding

Honoring a Fallen Hero: Procession for Helicopter Pilot Nicholas Dale

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Colorado Department of Public Safety, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

Tomorrow, Monday, July 20th, we will honor the memory and sacrifice of helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, as a solemn procession escorts him from Montrose to Denver International Airport.

Nicholas tragically lost his life while protecting our communities during the Gold Mountain Fire wildfire operations. We invite community members along the route to join us in paying their final respects.

Procession schedule and route

July 20, 2026 Nicholas Dale procession route

Map depicts Montrose as start of procession at 7 a.m., with Grand Junction at approximately 8 a.m., Glenwood Springs as a Colorado State Patrol escort transfer point at 9:15 a.m., Vail at 10:15 a.m., and Silverthorne at 10:45 a.m., all marked along the route ending at Denver International Airport at noon Monday.


  • Departure: 7:00 a.m. from Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, CO.

  • Route: The convoy will travel the I-70 eastbound route.

  • Key pass-through areas: Major towns along the corridor, specifically Vail and Silverthorne.

  • Destination: Denver / Denver International Airport by approximately 12:00 PM.

Important safety guidelines for the public

To honor Nicholas safely and avoid causing traffic hazards on I-70, please strictly adhere to the following directives from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and traffic safety officials:

  • Where to gather: Please set up safely on overpasses and exit ramps to watch the procession pass.

  • Where NOT to gather: Do NOT stand, park, or set up along the shoulders of I-70 or any major highway. Keeping the shoulders entirely clear is vital for public safety and the flow of traffic.

  • What to expect: The procession will consist of a small convoy of 7–10 emergency and official vehicles. They will be driving with steady, non-flashing overhead light beams to maintain safety and prevent motorist confusion on the interstate.

Thank you for your cooperation, support, and for helping us honor a hero who gave everything to protect Colorado.

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CDPS website | facebook @COPublicSafety

COLORADO DIVISION OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
CDFPC website  | facebook @ColoradoFire

Honoring a Fallen Hero: Procession for Helicopter Pilot Nicholas Dale

NWS: Flash flood warning around Lee Fire burn scar

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National Weather Service

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
308 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a

  • Flash Flood Warning for…
    The Lee Burn Scar in…
    South Central Rio Blanco County in northwestern Colorado…
    Central Garfield County in west central Colorado…
  • Until 600 PM MDT.
  • At 308 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
    heavy rain over the Lee Burn Scar. Flash flooding is ongoing or
    expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the warning area will cause mud slides near steep terrain and County Road 5. The mud slide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Lee Burn
Scar.

SOURCE…Radar.

IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Lee Burn Scar.

  • Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…Rio Blanco.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks…streams…and ditches in the Lee Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters…climb to safety.

Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of creeks, roads and normally dry arroyos is likely. The heavy rains will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep terrain, especially in and around these areas.

NWS: Flash flood warning around Lee Fire burn scar