Gold Mountain Fire
Gold Mountain Fire
Photo courtesy of Lonnie Nugg
The Gold Mountain Fire is burning in steep and inaccessible terrain above Ouray in Ouray County in Red Flag conditions. The fire has burned 38,044 acres as of July 23rd, 2026 and 24% contained. The fire started on June 27th, 2026 burning in mixed conifer vegetation located on inaccessible terrain above the east side of Hwy. 550 and spread quickly running up steep slopes. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 was in command of the fire and on July 14th, 2026 the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 (CIMT) took command of the fire at 06:00. On July 12th, 2026 at 17:17, Nicholas Dale, a Helicopter Express Kaman K-1200 K-Max helicopter crashed into the Silver Jack Reservoir while conducting bucket work, after the helicopter went into the water a swift water tram was called to the scene to search for the pilot, unfortunately he did not make it in the crash and was recovered by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office dive team in the submerged helicopter. More information go to the InciWeb: Gold Mountain Fire
Arvada Fire Protection District (Brush 58), Brush Volunteer Fire Department (922), Florissant Fire Protection District (Engine 53), Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District, Grand Junction Fire Department (Brush 4), Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department, Hartsel Fire Protection District, Horsefly Volunteer Fire Protection: (Brush 44), Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Monument Fire Protection District (Type 6 Brush), North Metro Fire Rescue District, Ouray Volunteer Fire Department, Palmer Lake Fire Department (Brush 2045), Ridgway Fire Protection District (Brush 1211). Sable Altura Fire Rescue (Brush 48 & Brush 49), Silverton San Juan Fire & Rescue Authority, South Adams County Fire Department (Brush Engine 28), South Metro Fire Rescue (Brush Engine 39), Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team (SOCO), Telluride Fire Protection District, Thornton Fire Department (Brush 71), Fairburn Volunteer Fire Department (South Dakota), Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue (South Dakota) (Water Tender 2), Natrona County Fire District (Wyoming) (Engine 133), Kings River Hotshots (California), Stanislaus Hotshots (California), Ouray County Sheriff’s Office, Hinsdale County Office of Emergency Management, U.S. Forest Service, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests, BLM Colorado Fire, Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office, Gunnison County Emergency Management, San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Ouray County Emergency Management, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Montrose County Office of Emergency Management, Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, United States Forest Service, Shoshone National Forest (Engine 632) & Delta County Ambulance District
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: Firehawk 11C (N3811C), 205A-1 (N3804C) Helicopter (MSN 30314) & Wildland 28 (N328SF)
Air Support: Helicopter Transport Services Sikorsky (CH-54) Skycrane 2HT (N722HT), Helicopter Transport Services Sikorsky (CH-54) Skycrane 8HT (N718HT), DH Helicopter Sikorsky UH-60L 2NA (N292NA), Endless Summer Aviation OFS (N660FS), Helicopter Express Kaman K-1200 K-Max (N22TH), Helicopter Express Skycrane 55X (N655HX), & Neptune Aviation Service Tanker 02 (B462)
*Note, we have tried to add all the departments that responded or were requested, if you do not see your department listed please let us know and we will add them.
Photo courtesy of Amber Cornell
Photo courtesy of Amber Cornell
Photo courtesy of Lonnie Nugg
Photo courtesy of Lonnie Nugg
Photo courtesy of Horsefly Volunteer Fire Protection
Photo courtesy of Horsefly Volunteer Fire Protection
Photo courtesy of Horsefly Volunteer Fire Protection
Photo courtesy of Amber Cornell
Photo courtesy of Amber Cornell