Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Wildland firefighting can be dangerous work, and our crews are always preparing for the unexpected. In this video, a Forest Service fire suppression module practices training for what to do if a firefighter is hurt on the fireline or in a remote area. These drills make sure that if the unfortunate happens, crews are ready to take care of each other and get everyone home safe.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Today marks the wrap-up of operations at the Livestock Evacuation Center in Eagle County. Many residents have safely picked up their animals and returned home. We’re grateful to everyone who helped care for these animals during the fire response, and to the community for their support. The Small Animal Shelter remains open for anyone who still needs a safe place for pets.
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. 5,723 acres Completion/Containment: 4% 864 total personnel
KEY MESSAGE:
The Colorado River, Sweetwater, and Red Dirt Creek roads have all been reopened. The Garfield and Eagle County Sheriff’s Offices have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek and Red Dirt Creek areas to pre-evacuation (READY) status. The Forest Service and BLM have both reduced the size of their closure areas. Firefighters have built almost 11 miles of control lines, and the Derby Fire has been declared 4% contained.
CURRENT STATUS:
Showers have temporarily moderated fire activity this week, but incident managers predict wildfire activity will increase again when the weather warms and fuels dry out. Firefighters have constructed almost 11 miles of handlines and dozerlines along the east, south, and west fire perimeters. The Derby Fire has been declared 4% contained. The term “containment” is used when fire managers are confident that wind and weather conditions will not push the fire past completed control lines. Crews will work to strengthen and widen fire lines as weather and conditions allow. Air support is scouting for potential helispot sites, and structure protection crews are continuing to improve fire defenses around more than 500 structures along Sweetwater Road and Red Dirt Creek Road.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Incident meteorologists predict that showers will continue Wednesday and probably through the rest of this week before warmer weather returns early next week. Daytime smoke and nighttime fire glows may be visible at times when fuels dry out and fire activity increases.
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES:
The Colorado River, Sweetwater, and Red Dirt Creek Roads have all been reopened, and the Garfield County and Eagle County Sheriff’s Offices have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley, Sheep Creek and Red Dirt Creek areas to pre-evacuation (READY) status. More evacuation information is available at https://arcg.is/S0u4G and www.ecemergency.org.
Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte, Comandante de Incidente Mike Behrens
Ubicación: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025; Causa: Rayos Tamaño: Est. 5723 acres Finalización/Contención: 4% 864 Personal total
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
#DerbyFire Ops Update Monday morning, Aug. 27, 2025. Philip Knaub, Operations Sections Chief, discusses firefighting tactics on the Derby Fire. The Derby Fire is now 4% contained. Firefighters were able to access the southeast fire perimeter yesterday and are confident that any changes in weather conditions will not push the fire over the control line in this area. Look for a black line on the fire map to illustrate containment. Rain reached most areas of the fire yesterday, however, dead and down trees continue to hold heat. Large fuels are slow to accept moisture and will continue to smolder. As the weather dries out later this week, we expect to see more active fire behavior. On the east and west sides of the fire perimeter, firefighters are scouting for opportunities to continue to build line with handcrews and heavy equipment.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire Weather update 8-27-2025
Incident Meteorologist, Ryan Fliehman, discusses the upcoming weather forecast. Light rain is expected throughout the morning today, with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. This wet pattern will continue through Thursday, with a slow drying trend beginning on Friday, extending through the weekend.
Beginning today, the White River National Forest will reduce the public closure in the vicinity of the Derby Fire Colorado following several days of rain.
While the recent rainfall has reduced fire activity and provided much-needed assistance with fire suppression efforts, emergency managers are now closely monitoring for potential flooding and flash flooding in the burn area and surrounding communities. Forest visitors should stay aware of changing conditions, follow guidance from local authorities, and use caution when traveling through the area.
The new Forest Order reduces the Forest Closure to the area northeast of Sweetwater Lake continuing along the Derby Mesa Rim. A map and detailed description of the closure, including affected roads and trails, are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.
Currently the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning no campfires are allowed anywhere in the District, among other restrictions. Fire managers will continue to monitor conditions and evaluate fire restrictions with local partners. For more information about fire restrictions on the White River National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. Â
Comunicado de prensa del Servicio Forestal
Contacto: Iris Salamanca, Oficial de Asuntos PĂşblicos
El Bosque Nacional White River reduce el cierre del incendio Derby
Cierre en su lugar para proteger a los bomberos y la seguridad pĂşblica
EAGLE, Colo. (26 de agosto de 2025) – El Bosque Nacional White River reducirá el cierre pĂşblico en las cercanĂas del incendio Derby luego de varios dĂas de lluvia a partir de mañana.
Mientras que las lluvias recientes han reducido la actividad de los incendios y han brindado una asistencia muy necesaria con los esfuerzos de extinción de incendios, los administradores de emergencias ahora están monitoreando de cerca posibles inundaciones e inundaciones repentinas en el área quemada y las comunidades circundantes. Los visitantes del bosque deben estar al tanto de las condiciones cambiantes, seguir las instrucciones de las autoridades locales y tener cuidado al viajar por el área.
La nueva Orden Forestal reduce el Cierre del Bosque al área noreste del Lago Sweetwater que continúa a lo largo del Derby Mesa Rim. Un mapa y una descripción detallada del cierre, incluidas las carreteras y senderos afectados, están disponibles en https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.
Actualmente, el Distrito de Guardabosques de Eagle-Holy Cross permanece bajo restricciones de incendios de Etapa 2, lo que significa que no se permiten fogatas en ningún lugar del Distrito, entre otras restricciones. Los administradores de incendios continuarán monitoreando las condiciones y evaluando las restricciones de incendios con socios locales. Para obtener más información sobre las restricciones de incendios en el Bosque Nacional White River, visite https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire Quick Facts: August 27, 2025 Total acreage: 5,723 acres 2% contained 864 personnel
While not all Hotshot buggies are painted @U.S. Forest Service green, their shape and size is very recognizable! Hotshot crews are highly trained and specialized handcrews, often given the most physically demanding work on a large wildfire. Their transport vehicles are their “home away from home” on an incident and have just enough space for ten crew members and their gear.
Photo: The Bear Divide Hotshots from Santa Clarita, CA take care of their crew buggy and organize their gear. L.Edlund/Derby Fire.
Location:Â 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado Start Date:Â 08/02/2025 Cause:Â Lightning Size:Â Lee Fire: 137,758 acres Containment:Â Lee Fire: 90% 211 Total Personnel; 10 Engines; 2 Hand Crews; 2 Water Tenders; 2 Dozers
KEY MESSAGE
The reported acreage on the Lee Fire has been adjusted back to the original size noted earlier in the week, following improved mapping. The earlier increase was due to limitations in the previous data, which temporarily raised the estimate. With updated mapping complete, the acreage now accurately reflects the true fire size.
CURRENT STATUS
Yesterday, crews patrolled and secured the fire perimeter while completing suppression repair in coordination with Resource Advisors and local agencies, guided by the approved Suppression Repair Plan. The fire remained fully within its current footprint, and crews continued working both to strengthen containment and to begin repair in areas affected by suppression activities.
Fire activity was minimal, and work will continue in the coming days to ensure the area remains secureand repair objectives are met.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Showers and thunderstorms remain likely across the fire area over the next several days, with rainfall chances near 100%. Overnight and into the morning, widespread cloud cover with embedded showers is expected. If skies clear by midday, stronger thunderstorms could develop, increasing the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding. If cloud cover lingers, conditions will likely remain limited to lighter, intermittent rain with little lightning or strong winds.
All Garfield County zones for the Lee Fire have been released from the Lee Fire evacuation status, including zones 70, 71, 72, 73, 80, 81, 84 and 85. Containment is at 90% per Lee Fire August 26, 2025.
Video shows a glimpse of some of the animals that were cared for at the livestock center.
