GUFD - Gateway-Unaweep Fire Department

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

Power outages have been reported. Crews are diligently working to restore power shortly.

08/31/2026

Mudslides along Highway 141. It is impassable between mile markers 115 and 126. The highway is closed and crews are at work. Please use extreme caution.

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.

08/06/2026

*Forest Service responds to new fire start on Grand Valley Ranger District*

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests are responding to the Snipe Fire, located in the North Fork Escalante Creek drainage, south of Snipe Mountain and east of Uncompahgre Butte on the Uncompahgre Plateau within the Grand Valley Ranger District.
The wildfire was discovered at approximately 3 p.m. on August 5 and is currently estimated to be between 4 and 6 acres. Smoke may be visible from areas along Divide Road.

The Snipe Fire is burning in a mix of conifer, oak brush and aspen, and is moving slowly with occasional flareups. The fire is in a steep drainage with dead trees, creating challenging access and terrain for ground crews.

Resources from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Mesa County are assigned, including engines, hand crews and a helitack crew with helicopter support. Approximately 50 personnel are engaged in suppression operations.

Firefighters are engaging in full suppression efforts. Yesterday, aircraft assisted ground crews with retardant and water drops while firefighters worked to gain safe access to the fire. Crews have begun constructing saw line around portions of the perimeter. Today, they will continue saw line and snagging operations to secure the area for handline construction. Aircraft will support suppression efforts as needed due to limited water sources for ground engines.

There are no closures in effect. The public is advised to avoid the area, follow posted signs and alerts, and not impede responders traveling along Divide Road.

As always, the safety of firefighters and the public is the Forest Service’s first priority.

The public is reminded to stay aware of changing conditions, follow local guidance and avoid the area while firefighters work.

The GMUG remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

07/29/2026

Mark your calendars!
Saturday, October 3rd Gateway-Unaweep Fire Department will be hosting a marksmanship challenge.
Details coming soon!

07/16/2026

Community Update:

GUFD would like the community to be aware the Two Track Fire is located outside of Gateway-Unaweep Fire District, near the Colorado-Utah border and within Glade Park Fire District's boundaires. BLM has assigned resources and is carefully monitoring the site.
If you would like to know more, we recommend downloading the Watch Duty App. It provides regular updated information on an active fire's location and size, the wind direction, along with other important details.
You are still welcome to call the department if you have any questions or concerns.
We appreciate our community!

07/02/2026

🇺🇸 Join the crew this Saturday, July 4th for our Independence Day cookout. We will be grilling juicy burgers from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 🍔

07/02/2026

TO REPORT ILLEGAL FIREWORKS: Please call NON-EMERGENCY DISPATCH at 970-242-6707

Please only call 911 for fireworks when they cause life-threatening emergencies, fires, and injuries.

We need YOU to help us prevent more fires this summer - especially as the wildland firefighters continue to battle the Snyder Fire 2026 over Independence Day weekend.

DO NOT USE FIREWORKS. There are so many ways to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States that do not put our community at risk during these Stage 2 Fire restriction conditions.

A few celebratory ideas:
- Attend a community event.
- Utilize glow sticks.
- Decorate sidewalks with chalk.
- Make your own patriotic apparel.

Please help us make this Independence Day safe for our community and first responders.