Overview
- The fire started near Gage Road in the Grass Mesa area and reportedly began in or on a structure before spreading to nearby vegetation.
- Authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for residences from Grass Mesa Road north to Gage Road, on Sunset Lane, and north of milemarker 1 on Gage Road and directed evacuees to the Garfield County Fairgrounds shelter.
- Early estimates put the fire at about 28 acres and later reports said it expanded significantly with at least one home and one outbuilding destroyed.
- Colorado River Fire Rescue and allied agencies activated air resources and mutual‑aid teams from neighboring counties to protect threatened homes and gas infrastructure, and officials asked the public to avoid the area to give crews room to work.
- Garfield County warned conditions are extremely dry and announced a move to Stage II burn restrictions starting Friday to reduce the risk of new fast‑moving fires.