Gold Mountain Fire Holds at 87% Containment as Crews Target Hot Spots on Cimarron Ridge

Description: The Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray remains 39,691 acres and 87% contained as crews use infrared-equipped drones and helicopters to find and extinguish hot spots...


Published: 08/19/2026
Byline: SECO News

Fire Update – Gold Mountain Fire
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.
 
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2
Rodney Redinger, Incident Commander
 
Information Phone: 970-355-3286
Email: 2026.goldmountain@firenet.gov
Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Size: 39,691 acres | Containment: 87% | Cause: Undetermined | Start Date: June 27, 2026 @ 5:33 p.m. | Location: Approx. 2 miles NE of Ouray, CO | Total Personnel: 104
 
Special Message: Questions about Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management road, trail, and recreation closures or when areas may reopen, contact the Ouray Ranger District at 970-240-5300. Hunters with questions about hunting access in Game Management Unit 65 should contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Montrose Office at 970-252-6000.
 
Current Situation: On Cimarron Ridge, the Hotshot crew improved the helispot on the top of the ridge. This will allow the Type 3 helicopter to land on the ridge if the need arises. The crew is locating and extinguishing hot spots in areas where logs, trees, stumps, and other heavy fuels are holding heat. An Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) equipped with infrared capability helped identify the heat, and helicopters supported them with bucket drops.
 
In the East and Middle Forks, crews worked along the eastern flank of the East Fork with aerial support and continued progressing toward the Middle Fork. The Black Hills and Pilot Peak Wildland Fire Modules continue constructing and securing fireline south of the ridge near an avalanche chute. Today, firefighters will continue strengthening fireline and extinguishing remaining heat in these areas.
 
Engine crews worked hot spots in the Nate Creek drainage where heat remains in an Aspen stand. Although fire behavior remains minimal, the public may see intermittent smoke as crews locate and extinguish remaining pockets of heat.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Fire weather is expected to moderate slightly as moisture increases across the fire area. This morning will be mostly sunny with northwest winds and slightly higher relative humidity than Tuesday. Thunderstorm activity is expected to increase later in the day, with the potential for isolated wetting rain across portions of the fire area. Overall fire behavior is expected to remain minimal but may increase through the day.
 
Closure Orders: Closure orders are still in effect throughout areas of the Gold Mountain Fire, including Owl Pass Road. For current closure information, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../gold-mountain-wildfire-area....
 
No Fly Zone: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Gold Mountain and Elk Fire areas is in effect. Flying drones near the fire is prohibited and can interfere with firefighting aircraft, potentially grounding aerial suppression operations. For more information on safe drone operations, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org. For information on the TFR, visit https://tfr.faa.gov.
 
For More Information:
 
Information Phone: 970-355-3286
Email: 2026.goldmountain@firenet.gov
 


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