Gold Mountain Fire Reaches 87% Containment at 39,675 Acres Near Ouray, Colorado

Description: The Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray, Colorado, is 39,675 acres and 87% contained as crews tackle hot spots and an uncontrolled fireline on Cimarron Ridge...


Published: 08/15/2026
Byline: SECO News

Fire Update – Gold Mountain Fire
Saturday, August 15, 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: 97
 
Special Message: The Gold Mountain Fire is burning in dense stands of spruce, fir, and pine, with a high percentage of beetle-killed timber and heavy buildup of dead and down woody material, in an area that has no recorded history of large fires. These fuels are parched from extreme drought. Large-diameter logs are recorded to be holding only about 10% moisture content – for context, the standard for cured structural lumber is 19% moisture content. Large-diameter fuels will continue to hold and conceal heat through precipitation events and become more evident during periods of warm, dry conditions. They will continue to burn until a season-ending event occurs – typically snowfall.
 
Current Situation: A handcrew accessed the East Fork of the Cimarron today. Crews are working to extinguish hot spots, construct handline, and remove trees to create a secure fire break along the fire’s edge. Securing this portion of the fire will help limit fire spread toward residents and other values north of the fireline.
 
The uncontrolled fire line up on Cimarron Ridge continues to challenge firefighters. Heavy vegetation in this portion of the fire provides continuous fuel that could allow the fire to spread toward homes, infrastructure, and other values north of the ridge. Cimarron Ridge is at high elevation and is difficult for firefighters to access safely. Fire managers are developing the safest and most effective strategy to slow and stop the fire in this area. Firefighter safety remains the priority while crews look for opportunities to take direct action against the fire.
 
Weather and Fire Behavior: This morning, a drier air mass will push through the area, limiting precipitation and storms. It will be slightly warmer and drier, with temperatures near the upper 70s and relative humidity in 20%. Limited moisture has fallen on the northern portion of the Gold Mountain Fire. Fire behavior will be minimal; however, areas on Cimarron Ridge area continue to produce heat and retain spotting potential.
 
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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