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Gold Mountain Fire Grows to 39,507 Acres, Reaches 72% Containment as Suppression Repair Continues


Description: The Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray has grown to 39,507 acres and is now 72% contained. Firefighters continue suppression repair, structure protection removal and erosion mitigation while road closures remain in effect.

Fire Update – Gold Mountain Fire
Sunday, August 2, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.
 
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1
Justin Conrad, Incident Commander
 
Information Phone: 970-355-3286
Email: 2026.goldmountain@firenet.gov
Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Safety Message: Forest Service Roads 864 and 858 remain closed south of Cimarron due to ongoing fire operations and heavy equipment activity. Please avoid this closure area for public and firefighting personnel safety.
 
Current Situation: Much of the fire area is steep and difficult to access, so fire managers assess risks, benefits, and impacts before taking action. Firefighters continue implementing strategies that protect values at risk while prioritizing responder safety. Fire personnel will continue identifying opportunities to strengthen containment lines. Crews finalize structure protection equipment removal and suppression repair activities continue where firelines are established.
 
Branch I: Divisions A-D, F, H/K
All suppression repair work is complete in Divisions A-D. Firefighters in Division F are repairing dozerline, installing waterbars, and flattening berms to reduce erosion potential. In Division H/K, suppression repair operations continue with crews working their way south toward the Division F break. Aircraft equipped with infrared technology have not identified any sources of heat that could threaten containment lines
 
Branch III: Divisions P, R, U and Z
 
Crews are clearing culverts and ditches where suppression activities are complete. Work continues to repair dozerline in Branch III. Graders smooth and restore road surfaces following increased use by large vehicles and heavy equipment. Crews complete structure protection removal, pulling the last of the water hauling equipment in the Middle and East Forks.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Weather continues to remain dry and warm. While precipitation can reduce active fire behavior, it does not saturate deep ground fuels, and smoke from the Gold Mountain Fire may still be visible. Stump holes, large logs, and roots can continue to hold heat even after prolonged precipitation.
Closure Orders: Closure orders are still in effect throughout areas of the Gold Mountain Fire. For current closure information, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../gold-mountain-wildfire-area....
 
No Fly Zone: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Gold Mountain and Elk Fire areas is in effect. Flying drones near the fire is prohibited and can interfere with firefighting aircraft, potentially grounding aerial suppression operations. For more information on flight restrictions, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 
Fire Statistics:
Size: 39,507 acres
Containment: 72%
Total Personnel: 398
Location: 2 miles NE of Ouray, CO
Reported: June 27, 2026
Cause: Undetermined
 
For More Information:
Information Phone: 970-355-3286
Email: 2026.goldmountain@firenet.gov



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