From Flames to Recovery: Where Western Colorado’s Wildfires Stand Now

Firefighters and first responders in Western Colorado have spent most of July battling five wildfires. While progress is being made, Red-Flag days and high winds have continued to help fuel the fires.

Keep scrolling to see wildfire updates from the front lines in Western Colorado, and the latest on fire restrictions, evacuations, and road closures from Grand Junction to Montrose.

Containment Progress & Fire Status

• Deer Creek Fire (11 miles West of Paradox, Colorado): The fire has burned 17724 acres since July 10th. The fire is 77% contained. Firefighters are working along all 52 miles of the fire’s perimeter to ensure there are no remaining threats before declaring any sections fully contained.
• Sowbelly Fire (Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area): The fire has burned 2,274 acres of Sowbelly Gulch, but is now 95% contained. Remaining fire and medical support personnel are being redeployed to larger area fires.
• South Rim Fire (Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park): The South Rim Fire has burned 4,232 acres in Montrose. The fire is 41% contained. Firefighters are walking the edge of the fire, using their bare hands to feel for lingering heat and check for any smoldering roots or hidden hot spots.
• Wright Draw Fire (Northeast of Gateway, Colorado): The Wright Draw fire is now 92% contained, and command transitioned to a Type 3 Incident Management Team on Monday, July 28. Responsibility for the Wright Draw Fire will then be handed back to the Bureau of Land Management for ongoing monitoring.
• Turner Gulch Fire (Unaweep Canyon): The Turner Gulch Fire north of Gateway, Colorado, has burned 20044 acres since July 10th. The fire is 54% contained and has grown by about 600 acres in the last 24 hours. High winds have pushed the fire into Ute Creek.

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Current Fire Restrictions in Affected Counties

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place in Montrose, Delta, and Mesa counties in Colorado. Prohibited activities during stage 1 restrictions include open burning of any kind (campfires, agricultural burns, fireworks, etc.), and use of spark‑producing equipment without fire extinguishers or proper spark arrestors.

Evacuations & Road Closures Across Western Colorado

• Montrose: Residents in Bostwick Park and Highway 347, including K73 Road, remain under a mandatory evacuation due to the South Rim Fire. Closures include the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
• Delta County: There are no active evacuations in Delta County at this time. ZS Road (entering Mesa County) remains closed to the public, per BLM and county fire officials.
• Mesa County: Mandatory evacuations are in effect for parts of the Highway 141 corridor, mile markers 120‑124 and 128‑131.