South Fork Fire Rescue

08/31/2026

From CDOT | ⚠️TRAVEL ALERT⚠️ | US 160 & CO 149 South Fork

On Tuesday (9/1/26) crews will begin 3-day long pothole patching operations in South Fork. Motorists should plan for delays through Thursday (9/3) from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

🔶Motorists should plan for 10 to 15 minute delays and should allow for extra travel time

🔶Expect full stops and alternating traffic

🔶Watch for flaggers and signage signaling lane shifts and lane closures

📲 Check the latest traffic impacts on COtrip.org or on the COtrip Planner app

08/28/2026

A few from our Wildland Division is Texas-bound.
A Type 6 engine and Squad 9 with a crew of seven from South Fork Fire Rescue have been assigned to the Ross Fire west of Fort Worth. They will be on assignment for 14 days.
The Ross Fire started Monday, August 24th, and spread rapidly through dry ranchland, growing to roughly 85,000 acres and becoming one of the largest wildfires in North Texas history.
We are proud of our people for answering the call, wherever it takes them. Wishing them a safe assignment.

08/24/2026

On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., South Fork Fire Rescue responded to a fire known as the Park Fire, on the mountain south of the South Fork Fire Rescue station.

On arrival, the crew found a single tree that had been struck by lightning. The fire was quickly contained to the single tree.

08/14/2026

International Youth Day by spotlighting one of our own: Clifford Goldsberry, wildland firefighter with South Fork Fire Rescue.

08/08/2026

Tree Thinning Demonstration

Thursday, August 13, 2026
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Meet at the South Fork Visitor Center

Adam Moore and Max Muller with the Colorado State Forest Service will cover:

• How to identify stands that will benefit from thinning
• Why thinning helps certain forested areas
• How to implement thinning on your own property
• Q&A with local forestry professionals

If you own forested land in Rio Grande or Mineral County, this is worth two hours of your morning. Thinning reduces wildfire risk, improves forest health, and protects your property value.

RSVP: 719-754-3400 ext. 3022 or [email protected]

08/07/2026

We’ve had a lot of questions today about the smoke over South Fork. The haze is drifting in from the Rio Blanco & Elk Fires and the fires burning in Utah. Air quality is expected to remain in the Moderate range while these smoke impacts continue.

For the smoke forecasts and more information, see the Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/6c085029

08/05/2026

Great night at Rickel Park for National Night Out.

South Fork Fire Rescue took home the Tug of War win.

But the trophy was not the real story. The real story was a park full of neighbors and a whole lot of good conversation about staying safe out here. National Night Out is about knowing your first responders before you need them, and last night this community showed up in a big way.

Thank you, South Fork. Same rope, same park, next year.

07/30/2026

07/24/2026

Yes, it rained. No, you still cannot have a fire.

We know it came down for a bit. We know it looked promising. But a passing storm does not undo months of drought. The ground under that rain is still dry, and it will be ready to burn again as soon as the sun is back out.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are still in effect.

That means:

🔸 No campfires or open burning
🔸 No charcoal or pellet grills
🔸 No fireworks
🔸 No smoking outdoors
🔸 No welding or open-flame torches

Restrictions stay in place until they are officially lifted, not until it feels wet enough. We will let you know the moment that changes.

Thank you for your patience and for helping protect our community.