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Gold Mountain Fire Grows to 38,044 Acres, Reaches 24% Containment as Flash Flood Risk Continues


Description: The Gold Mountain Fire is 38,044 acres and 24% contained as crews strengthen firelines and begin suppression repairs. Thunderstorms and flash flooding remain major concerns...

Gold Mountain Fire Update - July 23, 2026
 
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2
Incident Commander Rodney Redinger
 
Size: 38,044 acres | Containment: 24% | Cause: Undetermined | Start Date: June 27, 2026 @ 5:33p.m.
Location: Approx. 2 miles NE of Ouray, CO | Total Personnel: 855
 
Safety Message: Continued thunderstorms are expected to produce lightning, strong outflow winds, heavy precipitation, and potential hail over the next 24 hours. Flash flooding is the most significant threat, particularly in areas with saturated soils or intense burn scars that no longer absorb water effectively. Firefighters and the public are encouraged to be cautious and vigilant when traveling local roadways.
 
Current Conditions: Fire activity remains low to moderate. Crews are focusing on strengthening containment lines across all divisions. In Divisions F, D, H, K, O, P, R and U, firefighters are patrolling and advancing rehabilitation of impacts from suppression efforts. Firefighters are reinforcing containment lines through chipping and mastication, improving indirect primary and secondary lines and installing water bars ahead of expected rain to help reduce erosion. Mastication is a mechanical fuel treatment using heavy machinery with mulching heads to shred dense brush and small trees into ground debris. Several divisions are hauling logs and clearing materials from earlier line construction.
 
In the East Fork drainage, pumps and sprinklers continue to wet the creek bottom to minimize potential spread and protect wilderness values. Containment line to Johnson Park Road remains secure, and crews are hauling logs and chipping slash. Logging trucks continue to stay active along Forest Road 858 as crews continue removing felled trees to maintain the fuel break near the Cimarron Creek subdivision. Division Z remains unstaffed, but aerial patrols continue. As containment increases, crews are expanding suppression repair. Initial attack crews are poised for response following recent lightning, and aircraft support that shared with the Elk Fire may assist when weather permits.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Monsoonal moisture and winds from the West-Northwest will promote storm development over the high country, producing heavy, short-duration precipitation, lighting, small hail, and strong outflow winds. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity will continue to subdue fire behavior, but smoldering fuels are expected to continue producing smoke. Flash flooding remains a major concern and current forecasts do not reflect extended drying trends. A slight warming trend is expected Friday.
Air Quality – Scan the QR code at the top for the link to the current Gold Mountain Fire Smoke Outlook report.
 
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): To get the exact restricted airspace over the Gold Mountain Fire, go to: tfr.faa.gov. The NOTAM Number is FDC 6/5451.
 
#goldmountainfire Information
Phone: (970) 355-3286 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Email: 2026.goldmountain@firenet.gov
Facebook: Gold Mountain Fire
 



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