Gold Mountain Fire Holds at 39,675 Acres, 87% Contained as Cimarron Ridge Remains Priority

Description: The Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray remains 39,675 acres and 87% contained. Firefighters are prioritizing Cimarron Ridge while monitoring the eastern fire edge...


Published: 08/14/2026
Byline: SECO News

Fire Update – Gold Mountain Fire
Friday, August 14, 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: 39,675 acres | Containment: 87% | Cause: Undetermined | Start Date: June 27, 2026 @ 5:33 p.m. | Location: Approx. 2 miles NE of Ouray, CO | Total Personnel: 105
 
Special Message: As the weather brings multiple episodes of showers and storms with breaks of sunshine, low-hanging fog and mist from the rains will likely be mistaken for smoke or new starts. If these smoke reports are within the Gold Mountain response area, the Gold Mountain operations will respond to the report. If it is confirmed a new start, the Gold Mountain operations will coordinate the response effort.
 
Most of the fire’s eastern side in Division Z has seen little or no fire growth. While the map shows a black containment line, that line represents natural features like rock outcroppings and wet meadows, not a line that firefighters have built or fully secured. If the weather becomes hotter and drier, the fire could become active in Division Z where vegetation is available to burn. The public may see some additional fire activity or growth on the eastern edge. This is expected as long as conditions remain favorable for fire spread or until a significant weather event, such as snow or sustained moisture, puts an end to fire activity. Firefighters will continue to monitor these areas and communicate the changes in containment if they are significant.
 
In Divisions A through U, firefighters worked directly along the fire edge to extinguish hot spots, securing the perimeter. Firefighters will continue to focus their efforts on areas where the fire could threaten people, homes, infrastructure, or other important resources.
 
Current Situation: The area between the two rock outcroppings on Cimarron Ridge remains the highest priority for firefighting efforts on the Gold Mountain Fire. This area has continuous vegetation between the fire and homes, infrastructure, and other important resources to the north. If winds increase, the fire could quickly move through these fuels and threaten those areas. Cimarron Ridge is at high elevation and is difficult for firefighters to access safely. Crews have been working in the area, but changing weather conditions have required them to leave the ridge at times. Fire managers are working to determine the safest and most effective way to slow and stop the fire in this area. Protecting firefighter safety remains the priority while crews look for opportunities to take direct action against the fire.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Frontal passage this morning will push to the east of the fire area, reducing the probability for moisture through the day. Fire growth will be minimal; however, the light fuels like grass and brush will dry quickly. Heavy dead and down timber will continue to burn where the wind and topography align. Expect isolated smoke in the fire area during the drying periods.
 
Closure Orders: Closure orders are still in effect throughout areas of the Gold Mountain Fire. 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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