Willow Fire

Photo courtesy of United States Forest Service

The Willow Fire started on June 28th, 2026, 6 miles west of Leadville and southwest of Turquoise Reservoir in the Mount Massive Wilderness area in Lake County. The fire has burned 6,871 acres as of July 16th, 2026 with 37% containment. Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 is in command. The fire incident presents significant operational challenges due to steep, high-elevation terrain, limited road access, and critically dry vegetation. The fire continues to burn in heavy mixed-conifer fuels where dry conditions, steep terrain, and wind alignment are producing group tree torching, short crown fire runs, and spotting of more than one-half mile. Crews are also working on structure protection around the National Leadville Fish Hatchery and surrounding areas. More information go to the InciWeb: Willow Fire

Aurora Fire Rescue, Berthoud Fire Protection District, Black Forest Fire Protection District (Wildland 7), Cimarron Hills Fire Department (Engine 1311), Front Range Fire Rescue (Brush 503), Leadville/Lake County Fire-Rescue, Salida Fire Department (Engine 311) (South Arkansas Fire Protection District), Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team (SOCO), Grass Valley Fire Department (California), Nevada County Consolidated Fire District (California), Sabino Fire (Arizona), Windsor Severance Fire Rescue (Brush 404), Worley Fire Protection District (Idaho), Stone Mountain Fire Protection (Engine 214), Thunder Mountain Fire & Mitigation (Brush 42), Jackson Hotshots (Mississippi), Medical Jets Emergency Response Team (Medic 61) (Texas), Ozark Medics (Arkansas), Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Office of Emergency Management, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control & United States Forest Service

Air Support: 725HT (5HT) & Kaman K-1200 K-Maxx Helicopter (N319WA)

*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 United States Forest Service

Photo courtesy of Cimarron Hills Fire Department