Multiple fires are active across Mesa and Ouray counties, with evacuation notices, highway closures, smoke advisories, and fire restrictions changing quickly. Here are official updates, shelters, hotlines, and preparation steps.
ACTIVE EMERGENCY: This article reflects information available as of approximately 9:30 a.m. MDT Sunday, June 28, 2026. Fire conditions, evacuation orders, road closures, shelter locations, and air quality alerts can change quickly.
Follow official instructions from county sheriffs, emergency managers, fire officials, CDOT, and state emergency agencies.
| Fire | Area | Current Status | Evacuations / Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snyder Mesa Fire | Western Mesa County / Utah-Colorado border | More than 28,000 acres reported; containment reported at or near 0% | Pre-evacuation notices active; McInnis Canyons NCA closed |
| Gold Mountain Fire | Ouray County, north of Ouray | Active fire in steep terrain; acreage changing | Mandatory evacuations active; Hwy 550 closure and detour in place |
| Red Rock Fire | BLM land northeast of Grand Junction | Smaller active fire, about 33 acres reported Saturday | No evacuations reported |
Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster emergency declaration for the Snyder Mesa Fire Saturday night, activating state emergency response resources and authorizing Colorado National Guard support.
Three federal wildland firefighters were killed Saturday in a burnover while responding to fires near the Colorado-Utah border. Two additional crew members were injured and transported for medical care. Their names had not been released as of this update, pending family notification.
Use official and live sources before making travel, evacuation, or safety decisions.
Mesa County / Snyder Mesa Fire
Ouray County / Gold Mountain Fire
Roads
Air Quality
Regional Fire Restrictions
The Snyder Mesa Fire is burning in western Mesa County near the Utah border after several fires grew rapidly during extreme fire weather Saturday.
As of Sunday morning, public reports placed the fire area at more than 28,000 acres, with containment reported at or near 0%. The fire is affecting rugged, remote terrain west of Fruita and Grand Junction, including areas near Glade Park and McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.
During periods of extreme fire behavior Saturday, crews were pulled back to staging areas for safety. Fire behavior, weather, and access conditions will determine when and where suppression work can continue.
As of the 9:15 a.m. Sunday, the following areas were under pre-evacuation notice. This means residents should be ready to leave immediately if conditions change.
Residents in pre-evacuation areas should pack now, charge phones, move pets and livestock early, and be ready to leave quickly.
Mesa County officials also advised residents in pre-evacuation areas to turn on irrigation water to help saturate land around properties.
The Bureau of Land Management has closed all BLM-managed public lands in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area because of the Snyder Mesa Fire.
The emergency closure includes BLM lands north of DS Road and west of 16½ Road. Visitors should not enter the area until officials lift the closure.
The Gold Mountain Fire is burning north of the City of Ouray in steep terrain.
Ouray County initially reported that the fire started after a tree fell on a power line. Mandatory evacuations and pre-evacuation notices are in effect, and Highway 550 travel is restricted.
The following areas were listed in the source draft as under mandatory evacuation:
If you are in a mandatory evacuation area, leave immediately. Do not wait for another alert. Emergency services may not be able to reach people who stay behind.
The following area was listed as under pre-evacuation notice:
Residents in this area should be packed and ready to leave if the order changes.
The evacuation shelter was updated to:
Ridgway Secondary School
1200 Green Street
Ridgway, CO
The shelter had previously been listed at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center before being moved.
As of the source draft, Highway 550 was closed between Ouray and Whispering Pines because of the Gold Mountain Fire.
Through traffic should check CDOT COtrip before traveling. The County Road 17 detour over Whispering Pines Bridge is for local and residential traffic only, not commercial vehicles or oversized loads.
The Red Rock Fire is burning on BLM land approximately 12 miles northeast of Grand Junction in Redrock Canyon.
As of Saturday, it had grown to approximately 33 acres. No evacuations were reported at publishing.
The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported responding to multiple wildfires across western Colorado and eastern Utah after lightning activity. Engines, crews, and aircraft were assigned to several incidents.
Evacuation resource center
Former Faith Heights Church
600 28¼ Road
Grand Junction, CO
Red Cross
1-800-RED-CROSS
Large animals
Mesa County Fairgrounds Manager Kyle Carstens: 970-773-1621
Local Support Grand Junction Community Facebook Group Wildfire Preparedness & Evacuation Guide
Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds
25½ Road
970-623-0568
970-261-4046
Evacuation shelter
Ridgway Secondary School
1200 Green Street
Ridgway, CO
Ouray County EOC hotlines
Emergency alerts
Text ourayalerts to 65513
Wildfire smoke may affect communities across the Western Slope and surrounding counties.
If smoke is heavy where you are:
Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with asthma, heart disease, COPD, or other respiratory conditions should take extra precautions.
Dangerous fire weather remains a concern across much of western Colorado and eastern Utah.
Red Flag conditions mean high winds, very low humidity, and dry fuels can cause fires to spread quickly. Outdoor burning, fireworks, campfires, charcoal grilling, and other spark-producing activities may be restricted or prohibited depending on the county and land jurisdiction.
Check county fire restrictions before traveling or recreating outdoors.
Mesa County entered Stage 2 fire restrictions Friday, June 26. Residents and visitors should verify current restrictions before using public lands or private outdoor fire sources.
Do not wait for a mandatory order to prepare.
Pack now. Move pets and livestock early. Make sure vehicles have fuel. Know your evacuation route and backup route. Keep your phone charged and alerts turned on.
Leave immediately.
Do not wait to see flames or smoke. Do not assume emergency responders will be able to return to your area. Take your go-bag, pets, medications, and essential documents.
Follow official evacuation routes and avoid roads closed to through traffic.
Residents should watch for:
Three federal wildland firefighters were killed Saturday, June 27, while responding to fires near the Colorado-Utah border. Two additional crew members were injured.
WST joins the region in mourning their deaths and honoring their service. Their names had not yet been released as of this update, pending family notification.
Last verified at approximately 9:30 a.m. MDT Sunday, June 28, 2026.
This is an active emergency. Conditions are changing rapidly. Always follow official instructions from Mesa County, Ouray County, CDOT, BLM, and emergency responders above any other source.
