Gold Mountain Fire

The Gold Mountain Fire was discovered on June 27, 2026, at approximately 5:33 pm 2 miles northeast of Ouray, CO. Fire initially started burning in mixed conifer vegetation located on inaccessible terrain above the east side of Highway 550. Local, State, and Federal initial attack fire resources were ordered immediately. The fire spread quickly running up steep slopes. A local Type 3 Incident Management Team was assigned on June 27, 2026. Aviation resources were ordered throughout the next day, but high winds and terrain features shut down the use of aviation resources. Fire became very active, with group torching and crowning, increasing the fire growth to the east by 2,000 acres. Fire resources provided public safety and worked to protect structures. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 was ordered on June 28, 2026, and took command on June 29, 2026, at 6 pm.  Red Flag conditions over the following week led to extreme fire behavior increasing the fire growth to over 30,000 acres by July 6, 2026. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 assumed command July 14, 2026 following a coordinated, planned transition. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 assumed command July 26, 2026 following a coordinated, planned transition. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 assumed command again on August 9th, 2026 of both the Gold Mountain and Elk Fires following a coordinated planned transition. On August 22nd, 2026 Crawford Incident Management Team Type 3 assumed command.

Firefighters are focused on securing the remaining portions of the fire perimeter in the Middle and East Forks of the Cimarron River. Recent progress has increased containment along the northern portion of the Middle Fork and the eastern side of the East Fork. Crews continue to patrol containment lines and use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with infrared capabilities to locate remaining heat and identify areas where firefighters can safely engage. Heat lingering in heavy dead and down fuels and unburned pockets within the fire’s interior may continue to produce intermittent smoke as fuels dry.