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Garfield County | Accessibility
Update:
August 14, 2025, 2:32 pm
Road now open please drive safely
Update:
August 14, 2025, 12:48 pm
Road Closed I70 closed Westbound at Exit 87 -West Rifle due to brush fire
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August 14, 2025, 12:04 pm – 81 W I-70
1/4 Acre with moderate rate of spread in Pinyon Juniper.
CRFR Engine 41 is on scene with Grand Valley Fire Brush 32 and Tender 31. Resources have been ordered from DeBeque and Interagency.
Expect Lane Closures.
August 12, 2025, 6:02 p.m. – At approximately 3:23 p.m. today, Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) crews from New Castle were dispatched to a reported brush fire just east of the I-70 eastbound on-ramp at mile marker 105. Upon arrival, crews found an active fire in grass/brush mixed vegetation along the interstate.
Thanks to a swift and coordinated response, the fire was contained to 6.8 acres, using the interstate and river as anchor points. The cause of the fire was determined to be a trailer that had lost a wheel, which ignited dry grasses along the roadway.
CRFR responded with two Type Six engines, a tender, a Battalion Chief, and two Chief officers. CRFR extends sincere appreciation to our partnering agencies, whose quick assistance was critical in stopping this fire: the Glenwood Fire Department, Interagency Fire crews and personnel, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, and the New Castle Police Department.
“This incident is a reminder of how quickly fire can spread in our current dry conditions,” said Incident Command Messner of Colorado River Fire Rescue. “We are grateful for the teamwork and dedication of all agencies involved, and for the quick action that kept this from becoming a larger incident.”
CRFR encourages the public to remain diligent in all activities during stage two burn restrictions and to always be aware of their surroundings to prevent such incidents.
Leif Sackett
Fire Chief
Colorado River Fire Rescue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2025
Colorado River Fire Rescue Lee Fire Update – Zones 72 & 73 in READY Status
Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) is advising residents in Evacuation Zones 72 and 73 that they are now in READY status under the Ready, Set, Go evacuation model. While there is no immediate threat to homes in these zones at this time, conditions can change quickly, and residents should be fully prepared to act if evacuation levels increase.
What READY Status Means:
How to Be Prepared While in READY Status:
CRFR is here for our citizens and ready for any and all emergencies. Our crews are actively prepared and ready for any and all fire response efforts, are monitoring current conditions, and working closely with partner agencies to ensure the safety of our community.
For the most current information on the Lee Fire, including evacuation maps and updates, visit:
Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com, INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net, FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff, facebook.com/elkleefire, Inciweb – Lee Fire
We urge all residents in READY status to take this time seriously and be prepared. Your quick action can help keep you and your loved ones safe if conditions change.
July 23, 2025, 2:49 p.m. – Brush fire in the area of Lion’s Pond! Please stay away from the area so crews can work safely!
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.
8.14.24, Garfield County, CO – The Garfield County Sheriff, BLM and the seven fire districts in Garfield County are continuing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in all unincorporated areas of Garfield County effective at 12:01 a.m., Friday, August 16, 2024.
The recent rainfall in our area has allowed the Stage I restrictions to be lifted above the 8000 foot level, however, conditions below that elevation are still at risk due to many of the considerations noted below. These criteria, coupled with the availability of resources due to other fires in Colorado and adjoining states dictates that we continue the Stage I restrictions below the 8000 foot level in Garfield County. Dry vegetation and the severe drought conditions we have recently experienced increases the danger for human-caused wildfires.
The decision was made with thoughtful consideration. We look at the data, the potential for significant wildfires and balance it with the impacts to our community. Our concern, with the level of fire danger we are seeing; one spark could quickly spread into a dangerous wildfire threatening lives, property and natural resources.
Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to include moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability. It’s been hot, dry, and unseasonably windy. So far this year, we have had several Red Flag Warnings.
• Fireworks are not allowed under Stage I Fire Restrictions. Professional fireworks shows may be allowed through the permitting process.
• All burn permits are postponed/canceled until further notice.
• Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed areas (i.e. a permanent in-ground containment structure or store-bought fire pit). A temporary fire pan and rock campfire rings will not be acceptable.
• No fires of any type, including charcoal, in undeveloped areas.
• No smoking except within a designated area, enclosed vehicle or building, a developed area or in an area free of combustibles.
• No use of fireworks or explosive materials, including “exploding” targets or bullets and tracer rounds.
• Exercise common sense and industry safety practices when welding or operating an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame with a safe area clear of vegetation and combustibles.
Penalties
Causing a fire during fire restrictions can be a class 6 felony and can be punishable by fines. Other possible charges range from a Class 2 Felony to a petty offense depending on the value of the damage caused. You may be held financially responsible for damage caused.
Federal lands
The use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, including exploding targets, are always prohibited on federal lands.
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 the 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 park lands, 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 I FIRE RESTRICTIONS BEGIN AUGUST 2, 2024
Garfield County, CO, The Garfield County Sheriff, BLM and the seven Fire Districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024. This applies to all of unincorporated Garfield County.
This decision was made with thoughtful consideration. We look at the data, the potential for significant wildfires and balance it with the impacts to our community. Our concern, with the level of fire danger we are seeing; one spark could quickly spread into a dangerous wildfire threatening lives, property and natural resources.
Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to include moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability. It’s been hot, dry, and unseasonably windy. So far this year, we have had several Red Flag Warnings. The National Weather Service is forecasting above average temperatures and dry conditions with no relief from rain anytime soon.
With increasingly dry vegetation, severe drought conditions, and more hot and dry conditions approaching, the danger for human caused wildfires increases even more.
WHAT STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS MEAN IN GARFIELD COUNTY
Penalties
Causing a fire during fire restrictions can be a class 6 felony and can be punishable by fines. Other possible charges range from a Class 2 Felony to a petty offense depending on the value of the damage caused. You may be held financially responsible for damage caused.
Federal Lands
The use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, including exploding targets, are always prohibited on federal lands.
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 land owner. This includes residential and business areas, improved recreational areas, parks and other common areas.
An “Undeveloped Area” 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 park lands, 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.