Gold Mountain Fire Near Ouray Burns About 37,259 Acres with Low Containment
Reinforced indirect lines, expanded flight restrictions, pumps, staffed engines, checklines protect communities from a largely uncontained blaze facing gusty winds plus lightning threats.
Overview
- The fire has burned roughly 37,259 acres since June 27 and remains largely uncontained with official containment reported near 11–12 percent.
- Incident managers have increased personnel to about 929 and are focusing on building and reinforcing indirect firelines, mop‑up, checklines, and point protection to shield homes and infrastructure.
- Crews are using dozers, woodchippers, pumps, large tanks and staffed engines to supply water where natural sources are absent and to patrol hot spots along the Highway 550 corridor.
- Thunderstorm activity with gusty northeast winds has produced erratic behavior and increased lightning risk while forecasts show roughly a 50 percent chance of wetting rain that may be locally helpful but is limited by critically dry fuels.
- A Temporary Flight Restriction (NOTAM FDC 6/5451) was expanded and now abuts the Elk Fire TFR, with any incursions including drones triggering immediate grounding and complicating air operations and local air quality for Ridgway and the Highway 550 corridor.