Upper Colorado River Type-3 Interagency Incident Management Team
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.â€
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.
Upper Colorado River Type-3 Interagency Incident Management Team
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.
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.
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.â€
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.
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.
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.
ACTUALIZACIÓN 7:40 PM Todos los edificios de los apartamentos Altitude están siendo evacuados en este momento.
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.
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.ª y la 27.ª calle de Glenwood Springs , con un tamaño estimado de aproximadamente ¼ de acre.
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.Â
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 órdenes de evacuación emitidas por la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield. Recibirán otro mensaje si se ordena la evacuación.
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 preevacuación en la carretera del condado 329. Se han establecido evacuaciones a 1.6 km al oeste y al este de la intersección 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.
Garfield County, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service, and the seven fire districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions effective at midnight on Thursday, June 26, 2025. This applies to all of 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, including moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors, and firefighting resource availability. It has 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 CountyFireworks 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 practice when welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame always cleared safe area 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 landowner. 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.
U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management
White River National Forest and BLM Upper Colorado River District to enact stage 1 fire restrictions
June 25, 2025, 1:04 p.m. – GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – All lands managed by the White River National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District will be under stage 1 fire restrictions beginning Friday, June 27.
Under stage 1 restrictions for the Bureau of Land Management and White River National Forest:
campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (including the Forest Service Homestake Valley designated dispersed camping sites in Eagle County); this means a metal, in-ground containment structure — fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable.
no fires of any type including charcoal outside of developed areas
no smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or in a barren area free of vegetation
no use of explosive materials, including explosive targets
no welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame except from an area that has been cleared of vegetation
no operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order
Although conditions vary across the area, a longer-term drying trend is expected to continue.
“Fire restrictions are prudent at this time considering the long-range forecast, fuel moisture conditions on the ground, and the continued high public visitation,†said White River National Forest Supervisor Brian Glaspell. “In developed campgrounds where campfires are permitted, please ensure your fire is completely out and cold before leaving.â€
“As we enter stage 1 fire restrictions, it’s crucial for everyone to understand the importance of fire safety during this dry season,†said BLM Upper Colorado River District Manager Greg Larson. “We urge all residents and visitors to be vigilant and responsible with any outdoor activities that could spark a fire. Remember, fireworks are not allowed on federal land.”
Officials consider several criteria when determining the need for fire restrictions, including current and anticipated fire danger, resource availability, and consistency with neighboring jurisdictions. Local, county, state and federal officials within this area evaluate and coordinate fire restrictions weekly during fire season.
BLM Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley Field Offices, part of the BLM Upper Colorado River District, and unincorporated private lands in Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Pitkin and Summit counties will also enter fire restrictions this week.
June 23, 2025, 4:26 p.m. – Garfield County has passed an ordinance prohibiting the use, sale, and possession of fireworks in unincorporated areas. Garfield County Emergency Manager Chris Bornholdt told the Board of County Commissioners that local conditions and future predictions indicate an extreme fire danger in the area. The ordinance notes that sagebrush fuel moisture “is at or below 100 percent, a near record low.
Measurements taken in the county indicate Pinyon pine and juniper fuel moisture is 72 percent (significantly below normal moisture content percentages). Fuel moisture percentages are expected to further decrease in the next two weeks, creating high fire danger.â€
Flammable shrubs will “burn aggressively†if live moisture content is between 100 and less than 80 percent, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is projecting no significant rain the 14 days following June 23, 2025. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is anticipating above average temperatures from now through August in the region, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s drought monitor classifies the majority of Garfield County in “severe drought.â€
The board assessed the evidence and found that high fire danger exists, supporting the fireworks prohibition. A state law exempts firework prohibitions between the dates of May 31 through July 5, unless counties show “competent evidence of high fire danger.â€
Anyone using fireworks in violation of the ordinance is subject to a fine of up to $1,000 for each separate violation.
The ordinance covers unincorporated Garfield County; municipalities make their own rules regarding whether fireworks are prohibited. On federal lands, including Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service lands, the use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, including exploding targets, is always prohibited.
The board unanimously approved the ordinance, 3-0, which is in effect immediately and remains so for one year.
June 23, 2025, 3:34 p.m. – We are responding to a brush fire in the West Glenwood Area. Donegan Road has been closed in both directions between Vista Drive and Sunny Acres Road. Please avoid this area for emergency responders.
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
June 23, 2025, 3:58 p.m. – Sunny Acres residents: Pre-evacuation has been lifted by the Glenwood Springs Police Department. The fire is contained.
June 23, 2025, 3:34 p.m. – Sunny Acres residents: Due to a fire, please prepare for possible evacuation orders issued by the Glenwood Springs Police Department. You will receive another message if evacuations are ordered.
Se ha levantado la evacuación previa
23 de junio de 2025, 15:58 – Residentes de Sunny Acres: El Departamento de PolicÃa de Glenwood Springs ha levantado la orden de evacuación. El incendio está contenido.
23 de junio de 2025, 15:34 – Residentes de Sunny Acres: Debido a un incendio, les pedimos que se preparen para posibles órdenes de evacuación emitidas por el Departamento de PolicÃa de Glenwood Springs. Recibirán otro mensaje si se ordena la evacuación.
