Colorado Gold Mountain Fire: The Week 4 Recap You Need

Nearly four weeks after the Gold Mountain Fire ignited northeast of Ouray, firefighters are gaining the upper hand. As of the morning of August 1, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 reports the wildfire has burned 39,506 acres, is 67% contained, and has 430 personnel assigned to the incident.

The Gold Mountain Fire has tested firefighters for weeks, but recent photos show the determination and teamwork behind the growing containment numbers.

LOOK: Western Colorado's Gold Mountain Fire: Week 4 In Photos

Behind every increase in containment are hundreds of firefighters working long hours in steep, rugged terrain. These photos from the front lines offer a closer look at the crews, equipment, aircraft, and challenging conditions shaping the fight against the Gold Mountain Fire.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

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The Gold Mountain Fire is far from over, but conditions have improved considerably since late June. Firefighters are mopping up hot spots, reinforcing containment lines, and keeping a close eye on thunderstorms that could trigger flash flooding or cause new flare-ups. Although containment continues to increase, officials stress that the fire is not out.

Evacuation Orders Continue to Ease Around the Fire

The good news this week is that Ouray County has reduced several mandatory evacuation areas to lower alert levels. Zone 300 is now under pre-evacuation status, while zones 25 and 30 are reduced to voluntary evacuation with local traffic access only. In Gunnison County, Zones 32 and 33 also remain under voluntary evacuation status.

Officials continue to evaluate evacuation levels daily, based on fire behavior and weather conditions. See detailed maps of the evacuation zones here.

Roads, Trails, and Recreation Areas Remain Off-Limits

As containment improves, the public must continue to stay away from portions of Owl Creek Pass Road, several Forest Service roads around Gold Mountain Fire, trailheads, dispersed camping areas, and recreation sites near Silver Jack Reservoir, and West Fork Cimarron. Monsoon rains in the area of the Golf Mountain burn scar will likely cause flash flooding. For Gold Mountain Fire updates, the Gold Mountain Fire hotline is staffed daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 970-355-3286.

LOOKING BACK: Photos From the Early Days of Colorado's Gold Mountain Fire

Wildland firefighters continue working around the clock in some of Western Colorado's steepest and most rugged terrain as the Gold Mountain Fire burns through the Cimarron Range. These photos offer a closer look at the crews, aircraft, and challenging conditions that are part of the firefight.

UP NEXT: Listeners Sent In These Photos of Colorado's Gold Mountain Fire

The wildfire burning above Ouray has disrupted travel along the Million Dollar Highway, prompted mandatory evacuations, and brought an aggressive response from local, state, and federal firefighting agencies. As crews battle steep slopes, heavy timber, and challenging weather, fire conditions continue to evolve.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Source: Colorado’s Gold Mountain Fire: Week 4 Brings New Progress

Filed Under: Colorado Wildfires, Ouray Colorado, Montrose Colorado

Categories: Articles, Colorado Local