GMUG Fire Information

08/10/2026

*Snipe Fire Update - Aug. 10*

The Snipe Fire is 80 percent contained and holding at approximately six acres. Suppression efforts over the weekend significantly reduced active burning, and most of the incident is now focused on extinguishing remaining hot spots.

08/04/2026

Fire Update – Elk Fire
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.

08/04/2026

Fire Update – Gold Mountain Fire
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.

07/28/2026

*GMUG National Forests reduce Elk Fire closure area*

*GMUG National Forests reduce Elk Fire closure area*

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests’ Gunnison Ranger District has reduced the closure area in the vicinity of the Elk Wildfire effective July 29 at 12:01 a.m.

The adjusted closure area includes National Forest System lands west of Highway 149 in Hinsdale and Gunnison counties. Within National Forest System lands, the western boundary follows the line between the Ouray Ranger District and the Gunnison Ranger District on the Uncompahgre National Forest. The northern, eastern and southern boundaries follow the National Forest boundary.

The closure restricts public access to all lands, roads and trails within the described area (see map), including but not limited to:

Trailheads and Sites
Big Blue Trailhead, Big Blue Campground, Alpine Ranger Station, Alpine Trailhead, Alpine/Little Cimarron Trailhead, Big Blue Campground, Big Blue Trailhead, Crystal Larson Trailhead, Fall Creek Trailhead, Independence Trailhead and Little Elk Trailhead.
On the southern end of the closure area, Nellie Creek Road – National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 7877, Nellie Creek Trailhead, Uncompahgre Peak Trail – National Forest System Trail (NFST) 9239 and Uncompahgre Peak will remain open to visitors.

Roads
7236 Crystal‑Larson, 7867 Alpine Plateau, 7867.2A West Fork, 7867.2C Ridgestock, 7867.3A Little Blue, 7867.3B Willow Creek, 7867.3C Long Draw, 7867.3H Alpine Plateau Spur 3H, 7867.3J Alpine Plateau Spur 3J, 7867.4A Long Draw Camping Road, 7868 Alpine, 7868 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 2A, 7868.1E Big Blue CG Road, 864 Little Cimarron, 864.4A Little Cimarron Trailhead Road, 864.4C Johnson Park, 864.4C1 Johnson Park Spur 1, 864.C5 Little Cimarron Spur C5, 870 North Fork Henson Creek and 870.2A Matterhorn Creek.

Trails
High Mesa (6133), Matterhorn (6135), Middle Canyon (6136), Alpine (6225), Wetterhorn Basin (6226), Little Cimarron (6229), Failes Creek (6230), Big Park (6234), Firebox (6245), Little Cimarron East (6246), Sheep Mountain (6253), Saddle (9140), Alpine (9225), Alpine Guard Station Spur (9225.1A), Fall Creek (9231), Big Blue Creek (9232), Ridge Stock Driveway (9233), Ridge Stock Driveway Spur (9233.1B), Independence Gulch (9234), Independence Bypass (9234.1A), Crystal Lake (9235), View (9235.1A), Larson Lakes (9236), Larson Lakes Cutoff (9236.3A), El Paso Creek (9238), Thompson Lake (9241), Matterhorn TH Spur (9242), Little Elk (9244), Matterhorn Cutoff (9245) and Wetterhorn Peak (9256).

These closures are necessary to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public while crews continue managing the Elk Wildfire.

A map of the area and full order details can be found here https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts/elk-wildfire-area-closure-order-v-20

A violation of this closure order is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

The GMUG National Forests are currently under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

For more information about the Elk Wildfire, visit the incident page or the official GMUG page.

2026 Elk Fire

07/23/2026

Elk Fire Daily Update for July 23, 2026

07/23/2026

Gold Mountain Fire Update - July 23, 2026

07/22/2026

Elk Fire Update | July 22, 2026

07/22/2026

Gold Mountain Fire Update - July 22, 2026

07/17/2026

Elk Fire Daily update for July 17, 2026.

Northwest 8 Complex Incident Management Team took command of the Elk Fire yesterday evening. As the incoming Complex Incident Management Team, we extend our sincere gratitude to the Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 1 for their outstanding leadership, professionalism and dedication throughout their time managing this incident. Their commitment to firefighter and public safety, strong coordination with agency partners, and thoughtful planning have established a solid foundation for continued operations.

Operational Update
Fire activity on the Elk Fire remained low yesterday, supported by two waves of rainfall and elevated humidity. Though little precipitation reached the fire, increased moisture in the air helped moderate fire behavior. Heavy timber and brush fuels continue to support smoldering and creeping behavior. The fire was most active on the southeast side, now established in Independence Gulch within beetle-killed timber, with continued heat pockets and slow spread through grass, brush, and heavy fuels. Helicopters conducted water bucket drops along the fire’s edge to slow progression, and aircraft assigned to the incident also assisted with new wildfire starts in the area.

The fire continues to burn in remote, rugged wilderness terrain with no safe ground access and high risk associated with emergency extraction or medical evacuation. Because of these conditions, firefighters are using indirect suppression tactics around the perimeter, allowing crews to work safely while establishing a secure containment footprint. Crews are leveraging natural barriers, roads, and strategic landscape features to build firelines and protect values at risk. Firefighter safety remains the top priority.

Today, firefighters will continue to scout opportunities for indirect fireline, focusing on the east and south sides of the fire footprint to strategically position resources. When conditions allow, crews will take advantage of opportunities to utilize direct extinguishment. Structure assessment and protection will continue along Highway 149. On the southern end of the fire, firefighters will work with aircraft to moderate fire intensity and slow fire spread.
Crews will also conduct structure assessments along Highway 20.

Highway 149 remains open. Motorists should expect increased firefighter traffic and a reduced speed limit through the incident area. Slow down, stay alert, and use caution.

Alpine Loop remains open. Forest Service roads 877 and 870 (Nellie Creek and Matterhorn Trailheads) to the north are designated side roads that are closed.

Weather:
A monsoon weather pattern will continue through next week, bringing daily chances for afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms across the area. Outside of thunderstorms, winds are expected to remain light, with occasional afternoon and early evening gusts of 15–20 mph. Overnight humidity recovery will be good, and daytime relative humidity is expected to remain at 20–30% or higher. While rainfall may help moderate fire activity in some areas, thunderstorms can also produce gusty, erratic winds and lightning, which may influence fire behavior.

Evacuations:
Hinsdale County:
• GO NOW - The Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Office issued a “GO EVACUATE NOW” evacuation notice for two evacuation zones north and west of the Town of Lake City. The zones are specifically west of Highway 149, north of Independence Gulch Trailhead to the county line, Zones HNS-E002 and HNS-005.
• GET SET - A new “GET SET” Evacuation Notice was issued yesterday for Zone HNS-003. Zone HNS-E006
remains in a “GET SET” status.
• GET READY - Additionally, several evacuation zones in Hinsdale County remain in GET READY (Green) status. Residents should follow the Hinsdale County page for the latest evacuation information and sign up to receive emergency notifications through the Hinsdale County website.

Gunnison County: Evacuation zone GNN-220 in southern Gunnison County remains in pre-evacuation status. This includes properties along Highway 149 north of the Hinsdale County line, south of the Whinnery Ranch gravel pit, and extending east and west to the National Forest boundaries. Updated evacuation information for Gunnison County is available at https://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/elk-fire.

Shelters:
An Evacuation Center has been set up at the Lake City Armory at 230 N. Bluff Street. If you need to evacuate livestock or large animals such as horses, cattle, goats, swine, or sheep, the Gunnison County Fairgrounds, located at 275 South Spruce Street in Gunnison, has been set up as an evacuation location. Call 970-641-7660 if you are bringing animals. Mandatory vet checks will be conducted on all animals entering.
Closures: The National Forest has implemented an area closure west of Hwy 149 and north of CR 20 in Hinsdale and Gunnison Counties. For further information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Gunnison Field Office has implemented a temporary emergency closure for public lands within Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties. For further information visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district
Road Closures: Forest Service Road 7868 (Alpine Road) remains closed. Some public maps display the route as Road 868. Forest Service roads 877 and 870 (Nellie Creek and Matterhorn Trailheads) to the north are closed.

Smoke Forecast: www.airnow.gov/wildfires/.
No Fly Zone: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the area remains in effect. Flying drones near the fire is pro-hibited and can interfere with firefighting aircraft, potentially grounding aerial suppression operations. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

U.S. Forest Service-Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests
Gunnison County Emergency Management
Hinsdale County, Colorado

07/17/2026

Gold Mountain Fire Update - July 17, 2026