This event is no longer active — it's kept here as a record. Recovery may still be underway; the guidance below applies.
The Gold Mountain fire began in Ouray, Colorado on June 27, 2026, and has burned 36,788 acres with 12 percent containment as of the last report. Homes in the affected area face direct fire damage from the active, largely uncontained blaze.
Overview written from official NASA EONET and National Interagency Fire Center/IRWIN data.
- Type
- Wildfires
- Official size
- 39,506 acres
- Containment
- 50%
- Cause
- Undetermined
- Began
- Status
- Inactive
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Affected area map
The shaded area is the affected-area perimeter reported for this event by NASA EONET (Ouray, Colorado), colored by hazard type. Pan and zoom to explore the map; when more than one observation exists, use the slider below to step through how the reported area changed.
Interactive affected-area map
Ouray, Colorado · ≈ 62 sq mi reported extent · Enable JavaScript to explore the map.
2026-07-26 22:56 UTC · ≈ 62 sq mi · snapshot 8 of 8
View the timeline — how the reported area changed
Official size & containment
Official incident size and containment reported through NIFC / IRWIN, as we observed it. Newest first.
- 39,506 acres +1,443 50% contained
- 38,063 acres ±0 37% contained
- 38,063 acres +11 37% contained
- 38,052 acres ±0 27% contained
- 38,052 acres ±0 27% contained
- 38,052 acres +8 27% contained
- 38,044 acres ±0 24% contained
- 38,044 acres ±0 24% contained
Show 16 earlier observations
- 38,044 acres +35 24% contained
- 38,009 acres +47 24% contained
- 37,962 acres +153 13% contained
- 37,809 acres +75 13% contained
- 37,734 acres ±0 13% contained
- 37,734 acres +475 13% contained
- 37,259 acres +294 11% contained
- 36,965 acres ±0 12% contained
- 36,965 acres +177 12% contained
- 36,788 acres +1,166 12% contained
- 35,622 acres +774 13% contained
- 34,848 acres +1,602 6% contained
- 33,246 acres +1,104 7% contained
- 32,142 acres +679 8% contained
- 31,463 acres +43 8% contained
- 31,420 acres 7% contained
Shown as reported by our sources — not an official product. For current advisories and the authoritative map, see NASA EONET ↗.
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Latest updates
Official updates and news coverage for this event, newest first — National Weather Service products, local storm reports, incident updates and press headlines. Official items are verbatim government text; news headlines link out to the original outlet.
- Forecast discussion NWS GJT
Area Forecast Discussion
Triple-digit heat continues through Tuesday with slow-moving afternoon storms bringing heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds, particularly near burn scars.
Show full text Hide full text
000 FXUS65 KGJT 272031 AFDGJT
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 231 PM MDT Mon Jul 27 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Warm overnight lows and triple digit highs for portions of eastern Utah and western Colorado are expected through Tuesday morning. The Heat Advisories remain in place.
- Afternoon and evening showers and storms will continue thanks to ample moisture and daytime heating.
- Slow storm motions will allow heavy rain under the stronger cells. Small hail and gusty outflow winds will also be possible.
- Watch out for flash flooding and debris flows in vulnerable terrain, especially for areas near and downstream of burn scars.
&&
.DISCUSSION... Issued at 1218 PM MDT Mon Jul 27 2026
High pressure centered to our southeast, and the resultant southwesterly flow over our area, continues to advect monsoonal moisture into our CWA. Storm motion is forecast to remain slow while ridging is aloft. At the same time, this mornings sounding shows that precipitable water remains well above normal for this time of the year, and there is an increase in instability when compared to yesterday. So, expect another day of slow moving storms capable of producin…
- News IQAir
Wildfire Map Spotlight: Snyder, Babylon, Ferris, and Gold Mountain Fires in Colorado and Utah
- News kjct8.com
Flash flood advisory issued for Ouray County , highway 550
- News eptrail.com
4th firefighter dies after wildfire on Colorado Western Slope
Show 32 earlier updates
- koaa.com News
- durangoherald.com News
Nearly 460 miles of rivers in Colorado under fishing restrictions
- mix1043fm.com News
Flash Flood Threat Risks Remain Ahead of Triple - Digit Heat
- kktv.com News
- reporterherald.com News
- denverpost.com News
Colorado wildfires : Evacuations reissued for Custer County residents near Aspen Acres fire
- vaildaily.com News
- aspentimes.com News
- ksut.org News
Western communities report drops in tourism as wildfires burn nearby
- postindependent.com News
- eptrail.com News
Colorado wildfire updates on Aspen Acres , Gold Mountain , Elk and more
- greeleytribune.com News
Colorado wildfires : 12 injuries reported in Willow fire near Leadville
- kktv.com News
- kekbfm.com News
Why Western Colorado Storms Are Changing Direction This Week
- KDVR News
‘We are open’: Ouray tourism drops 40% as Gold Mountain Fire prompts cancellations
- The Colorado Sun News
Pilot killed when aircraft fighting Gold Mountain fire near Ouray crashes into reservoir
- Colorado Public Radio News
Gold Mountain fire: Crews work to contain northern growth, secure areas above Ouray
- KJCT News
Firefighters use strategic firing operations to battle Gold Mountain Fire
- Montrose Daily Press News
Gold Mountain Fire grows to more than 33,000 acres, at 7% containment; Elk Fire reported in GMUG
- Colorado Public Radio News
- Montrose Daily Press News
Containment increases on the Gold Mountain Fire: July 8 update
- The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel News
- Outside Magazine News
I Am Watching a Massive Wildfire Burn the Colorado Mountains from My Back Deck
- Denver7 News
Gold Mountain Fire: Containment holds at 27% for Ouray County fire
- KKCO 11 News News
Gold Mountain Fire burning near Ouray triggers more evacuations due to “life-threatening situation”
- Colorado Public Radio News
Gold Mountain fire: Blaze eats into Uncompahgre Wilderness area north of Ouray
- FEMA Federal declaration
Fire Management Assistance declaration: WILLOW FIRE (Colorado)
- 9News News
- CBS News News
Gold Mountain Fire continues to grow in southwestern Colorado, officials close parks, wildlife areas
- 9News News
- FEMA Federal declaration
Fire Management Assistance declaration: GOLD MOUNTAIN FIRE (Colorado)
- InciWeb Incident update
Updates are captured automatically from official and news sources, and may lag the live source. For the very latest, see NASA EONET ↗.