Some Western Slope public lands enter stage 2 fire restrictions

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Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit

July 16, 2025, 4 p.m. – The Bureau of Land Management will implement stage 2 fire restrictions for all lands managed by the Grand Junction Field Office, and lands managed by the Colorado River Valley Field Office within Garfield County effective 12:01 a.m. July 17. White River National Forest remains in stage 1.

Recent hot and windy conditions across Colorado have dried out the lower elevation landscape, and much of the Western Slope is under severe to extreme drought.

“The conditions across our region are significantly drier and more volatile than normal for mid-July,” said Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Officer Tommy Hayes. “Prolonged heat, low humidity, and steady winds have rapidly dried out vegetation — especially native grasses, sagebrush and pinyon-juniper shrubs.”

Because of current conditions, a current National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level of 4, and several active fires in the region, officials decided to increase fire restrictions where most appropriate.

In addition to stage 1 restrictions, the following are prohibited on BLM-managed lands:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grill, coal, wood stove fires, including in developed camping and picnic grounds. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, building or tent.
  • Using an explosive requiring fuse or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
  • Operating a generator, chainsaw or any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:
  • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Additionally, people should avoid parking in tall, dry grass; use working spark arresters on off-highway vehicles; and inspect trailers regularly to ensure chains do not drag.

BLM initiates restrictions to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect the public. Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria, including the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, and human risk factors.

For more information, please contact the Grand Junction Field Office at 970-244-3000 or the Colorado River Valley Field Office at 970-876-9000.

Fire restriction orders are available at BLM Colorado Upper Colorado River District Fire Restrictions.

The Colorado National Monument will enter stage 2 fire restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison national forests will stay in stage 1 fire restrictions.

Some Western Slope public lands enter stage 2 fire restrictions

Stage 2 fire restrictions begin Thursday, July 17

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

July 16, 2025, 12 p.m. – The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, BLM lands in Garfield County, and the seven fire districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday July 17, 2025. 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.

a. Gas grills – No permit required.

b. Charcoal and other solid fuel grills and cookers – No permit required in developed areas only.

c. In undeveloped areas, a permit from the local fire department may be required.

E) Smoking – Open smoking allowed in developed areas.

a. 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.

a. 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.

a. 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.

Stage 2 fire restrictions begin Thursday, July 17

Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

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Colorado Air Pollution Control Division – Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

July 16, 2025, 8 a.m. – An air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke issued for Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, San Miguel and Ouray counties.

Affected area: Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, San Miguel and Ouray Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Aspen, Leadville, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Telluride, and Ouray.

Advisory in effect: 8 a.m. MDT, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 to 9 a.m. MDT, Thursday, July 17, 2025

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: Multiple wildfires will produce periods of moderate to heavy smoke across the advisory area through early Thursday morning. The heaviest smoke impacts will likely be in close proximity to the South Rim fire in eastern Montrose County, the Sowbelly Fire and Turner Gulch fires in southern Mesa County, and areas directly downwind of the Deer Creek fire in Montrose and San Miguel Counties. Thunderstorms are possible near the fires on Wednesday, and may produce gusty, erratic winds that can send smoke in any direction.

Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

CRFR: Responding to brush fire

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Colorado River Fire Rescue

7.10.25, 2:14 pm: – After a 2.5-hour hike early this morning, CRFR crews finally made it to the scene of a half-acre brush fire in the New Castle area on a ridge between the Colorado River and Alkalai Creek. The call came in at 2:40 a.m. as a report of a lightning strike, but due to unpredictable terrain, crews waited until sunrise to make the trek to the fire, which is in heavy oak brush.

CRFR is on scene with Engine 361 and a crew of four. Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit is on scene with an engine and crew of six. The Whiteriver Mod is on scene with a crew of eight, and a helicopter is making water drops. The plan is to work through the day today and have this fire wrapped up tomorrow.

Visit CRFR on Facebook.

CRFR: Responding to brush fire

Hilltop Fire update

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Upper Colorado River Type-3 Interagency Incident Management Team

Hilltop fire photo with Bureau of Land Management, Garfield County Sheriff's Office and Garfield County logos

RULISON, CO – The Hilltop Fire has officially been declared contained as of 8 pm tonight. Tomorrow at 7 am, the incident will transition back to a Type 4 Incident Command structure. Remaining resources will continue to patrol, mop-up, and ensure that existing containment lines are secure. The Incident Commander estimates full control tomorrow, June 29th, at 8 pm.

According to Chris Bornholdt, Garfield County Emergency Operations Commander, “Evacuations were lifted last night, and residents were allowed to go back home. We appreciate everyone’s patience throughout this unfortunate event. We would like to thank the firefighters and support personnel from the countless agencies who’ve worked tirelessly to suppress this incident.”

Please note that due to very high fire danger, Stage 1 fire restrictions are currently in effect in unincorporated Garfield County and on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and White River National Forest.

Hilltop Fire update

Interagency firefighters work diligently to stop spread of Hilltop Fire

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Upper Colorado River Type-3 Interagency Incident Management Team

Bureau of Land Management, Garfield County Sheriff's Office and Garfield County logos

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Renelle Lott, Garfield County Communications Dept., 970.366.2275
June 27, 2025

RULISON, CO – Firefighters from multiple agencies continue fire suppression efforts to contain the Hilltop Fire located about 2 miles southeast of Rulison. More accurate mapping indicates the fire is currently at 326 acres and is 40% contained. Approximately 20-25 structures are at risk in the evacuation area.

A total of 153 personnel are currently on-scene. Resources include 13 engines, two type-2 initial attack crews, type-2 wildland fire module, type-2 suppression module, an interagency hot shot crew, smokejumpers, and support personnel.

Upper Colorado River Type-3 Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command this morning. Agencies providing support include Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Valley Fire Protection District, Colorado River Fire Rescue, Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control, Vail Fire Department, Colorado Springs Fire Department, Loveland Fire Department, and Adams County Fire Protection District.

Crews will continue working throughout the weekend to further containment efforts, suppress hot spots and perform mop-up operations. Safety is a priority for firefighters as they work around burned areas and debris, hot spots, and steep slopes.

Evacuations remain in effect for residents located within one mile of County Roads 320 and 309; pre-evacuation continues for residents more than one mile and within two miles of CR 320 and CR 309. Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is helping evacuees access their homes when safely possible.

Power companies are working to restore damaged poles and wires.

The fire investigator determined that this fire was human-caused and preventable. As a reminder, stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect in Garfield County and on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the White River National Forest. The weather is expected to remain hot and dry, with high temps and no moisture throughout the weekend.

We appreciate the support from the community and our partners. In the interest of public and emergency responder safety, please avoid the area.

We will share more information as it becomes available.

For fire updates and multimedia, visit garfieldcounty.net.

UPDATE: Saturday morning, June 28, 2025, it was announced that evacuations are lifted and displaced residents have returned to their homes. Garfield County is assisting with re-entry and recovery.

Interagency firefighters work diligently to stop spread of Hilltop Fire

GSFD: Palmer Fire – Firefighters work diligently to stop fire spread in difficult terrain

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Press release – Palmer Fire

At around 6:56 p.m., the Glenwood Springs Fire Department received a report of a brush fire on the hillside east of the 2500 block of Palmer Avenue.

Upon arrival, fire crews found a quarter acre active fire located near the base of a steep sloped canyon with challenging terrain. Fire was spreading quickly uphill into thicker vegetation. At once, firefighters promptly initiated fire attack, ordered additional resources, and identified structures at risk. Thanks to the Garfield County Sheriff Officers and the Glenwood Springs Police Department three of the closest Altitude Apartment buildings were safely evacuated. Evacuees were able to return to their homes later in the night.

Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, and the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit responded with resources including a type 1 Black Hawk helicopter. The helicopter dropped water on the fire effectively slowing the growth of the fire enabling firefighters to complete constructing line around the fire using anchor, flank, and pinch strategy. By 10:00 pm last night, firefighters successfully constructed direct hand line around the entire fire perimeter. Firefighters monitored the fire throughout the night and resumed mop up operations at 7:30 am this morning. By 8:30 am this morning, Incident Commander Hood called the fire 100% contained with an approximate size of one and a half acres. Firefighters will continue to monitor the burn area to watch for any signs of the fire rekindling.

In response to the incident, there were a total of three type-one engines, two type-six engines, five command vehicles, one investigation vehicle, a type 1 Black Hawk helicopter, along with 23 personnel from Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection, Roaring Fork Fire Authority, and the Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit. Additionally, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Glenwood Springs Police Department responded to this incident. The Glenwood Springs Fire Department is immensely grateful for the response from these partner agencies.

Incident Commander Hood stated, “The quick deployment of air resources and immediate response and hard work from our mutual aid partners kept the fire from getting out of control.”
The Glenwood Springs Fire Marshal has declared the cause of the fire undetermined human caused in nature. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported at this time. No further information will be provided.

GSFD: Palmer Fire – Firefighters work diligently to stop fire spread in difficult terrain

Garco911 and Department of Public Health & Environment: Air quality alert

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Department of Public Health and Environment

6.27.25
Affected Area: Garfield County. Locations include, but are not limited to Rulison and Parachute.
Advisory in Effect: 8:00 AM MDT, Friday, June 27, 2025 to 9:00 AM MDT, Saturday, June 28, 2025
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: The Hilltop wildfire is producing heavy smoke Friday morning for areas along Interstate 70 from Rulison westward into Parachute. Smoke should decrease across the advisory area late Friday morning as atmospheric mixing increases. However, active fire behavior is possible Friday afternoon. This may result in heavy smoke impacts again for the advisory area late Friday night and into Saturday morning.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

6.27.25, 9:35 a.m. Smoke in the air: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke in Garfield County, including Rulison and Parachute, is in effect today from 8:00 AM to 06/28/25 at 9:00 AM.

Garco911 and Department of Public Health & Environment: Air quality alert

City of Glenwood: Evacuations of Altitude Apartment buildings rescinded – brush fire east of Palmer Ave between 23rd and 27th Street

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Glenwood Springs Fire Department and Glenwood Springs Police Department

UPDATE 8:43 PM
Evacuations have been rescinded, and evacuees are being allowed back into their homes.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE 8:25 PM
We are grateful for the support from the helicopter, whose work helped to slow the growth of the fire! The helicopter has been released. We will continue to work into the night with crews from Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, and Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, to build handline around the fire.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE 7:40 PM
All Altitude Apartment buildings are actively being evacuated now.

UPDATE 7:37
Helicopter support is en route, approximately 8 minutes out.
Building C of the Altitude apartments is currently being evacuated.
__
We are responding to an active brush fire east of Palmer Avenue between 23rd and 27th Street. The fire is estimated to be approximately a quarter acre in size. Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District is responding in mutual aid to support during this incident. Glenwood Springs Police Dept is also responding to this incident. Please avoid the area so first responders can work safely.

ACTUALIZACIĂ“N 7:40 PM
Todos los edificios de los apartamentos Altitude están siendo evacuados en este momento.

ACTUALIZACIĂ“N 7:37 PM
Apoyo aéreo en helicóptero está en camino, a aproximadamente 8 minutos de distancia.
El Edificio C de los apartamentos Altitude está siendo evacuado actualmente.

Estamos respondiendo a un incendio activo de maleza al este de la Avenida Palmer, entre las calles 23 y 27.
Se estima que el incendio abarca aproximadamente un cuarto de acre.
El Distrito de Protección Contra Incendios de Carbondale y Rural está prestando ayuda mutua en respuesta a este incidente.

El Departamento de Policía de Glenwood Springs también está respondiendo.
Por favor, evite el área para que los socorristas puedan trabajar de manera segura.

City of Glenwood Springs

6.26.25, 7:29 p.m. – Glenwood Spring Fire is responding to an active brush fire east of Palmer Avenue between 23rd and 27th Street. The fire is estimated to be approximately a quarter acre in size. Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District is responding in mutual aid to support during this incident.  Glenwood Springs Police Department is also responding to this incident.  Please avoid the area so first responders can work safely. Updates will be shared via Glenwood Springs Fire Department Facebook Page: facebook.com/GlenwoodSpringsFireDepartment.

Estamos respondiendo a un incendio en matorral activo al este de Palmer Avenue, entre la 23.ÂŞ y la 27.ÂŞ calle de Glenwood Springs , con un tamaño estimado de aproximadamente ÂĽ de acre. 

El Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District está brindando apoyo mutuo en este incidente, y también está respondiendo el Departamento de Policía de Glenwood Springs, para asegurar una respuesta eficiente.

Por favor, eviten la zona para permitir que los primeros respondedores trabajen con seguridad.

City of Glenwood: Evacuations of Altitude Apartment buildings rescinded – brush fire east of Palmer Ave between 23rd and 27th Street

GarCo911: Hilltop Fire on County Road 320/CR 309 – EVACUATE the area immediately

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A brush fire near County Roads 320 and 309, near Rifle, CO.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

This incident has been named the Hilltop Fire.

June 26, 2025, 3:35 p.m. – PRE-EVACUATION: Residents over one mile, but within two miles of county road 320/county road 309: Due to a Fire, please prepare for possible evacuation orders issued by Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. You will receive another message if evacuations are ordered.

June 26, 2025, 3:26 p.m. – EVACUATION: If you are EAST of the fire, EVACUATE to the FAIRGROUNDS in Rifle, if you are WEST of the fire EVACUATE to COTTONWOOD PARK/PARACHUTE FAIRGROUNDS. 

June 26, 2025, 3:06 p.m. – EVACUATION: County Road 320 (Rifle-Rulison Road) and County Road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road: Due to fire, EVACUATE the area immediately.

GarCo911: Incendio en County Road 320/CR 309: EVACUAR el área inmediatamente

26 de junio de 2025, 15:35 – AVISO DE PREEVACUACION: a más de una milla, pero a menos de dos millas de la carretera del condado 320/carretera del condado 309: Debido a un incendio, por favor, prepárense para posibles Ăłrdenes de evacuaciĂłn emitidas por la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield. Recibirán otro mensaje si se ordena la evacuaciĂłn.

26 de junio de 2025, 15:26 – EVACUACION: Carretera del Condado 320/Carretera del Condado 309: Debido al incendio, evacue la zona inmediatamente. Si se encuentra al ESTE del incendio, evacue al RECINTO FERIAL de Rifle; si se encuentra al OESTE del incendio, evacue al PARQUE COTTONWOOD/RECINTO FERIAL DE PARACAIDISTAS.

26 de junio de 2025, 15:06 – EVACUACION: County Road 320 (Rifle-Rulison Road) y County Road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road): debido al incendio, evacue el área inmediatamente.

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

June 26, 2025, 3:38 p.m. – Brush Fire at County Road 309 (Rulison area), moving East and South. Pre-evacuation starting at County Road 329. Evacuations in place 1 mile West and East from Intersection of County Road 309 & 320. If you are on the West side you may evacuate to Parachute Fairgrounds on the East side to Garfield County Fairgrounds.

26 de junio de 2025, 15:38 – Incendio forestal en la carretera del condado 309 (zona de Rulison), avanzando al este y al sur. Se inicia la preevacuaciĂłn en la carretera del condado 329. Se han establecido evacuaciones a 1.6 km al oeste y al este de la intersecciĂłn de las carreteras del condado 309 y 320. Si se encuentra en el lado oeste, puede evacuar al recinto ferial Parachute, ubicado en el lado oeste, al recinto ferial del condado de Garfield.

Holy Cross Energy

June 26, 2025, 3:28 p.m. – Power is out in the Rulison to Parachute area due to fast-moving wildfire activity. Please avoid the area and take all necessary safety precautions.

26 de junio de 2025, 15:28 – Se ha producido un corte de electricidad en la zona de Rulison a Parachute debido a la rápida actividad de los incendios forestales. Evite la zona y tome todas las precauciones de seguridad necesarias.

GarCo911: Hilltop Fire on County Road 320/CR 309 – EVACUATE the area immediately