A rapidly growing wildfire in Ouray County, Colorado, has triggered mandatory evacuations and forced the closure of a section of U.S. Highway 550 as firefighters battle difficult conditions fueled by steep terrain and strong winds.
The blaze, named the Gold Mountain Fire, was first reported on Saturday and had expanded to approximately 572 acres by Sunday, prompting local officials to issue evacuation orders for several communities.
Mandatory Evacuations Issued
According to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office, mandatory evacuations are in effect for:
- Lake Lenore
- Panoramic Heights
- Redstone Road
- Peck’s Trailer Park
- Nearby surrounding areas
Residents living between Whispering Pines and Black Lake have been placed under a pre-evacuation notice and are urged to prepare to leave if conditions worsen.
An evacuation center has been opened at Ridgway Secondary School, located at 1200 Green Street in Ridgway.
Highway 550 Closed
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has closed a roughly two-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 550 just north of Ouray as flames continue to threaten the corridor.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area while firefighters work to contain the blaze.
Firefighting Resources Deployed
State and federal firefighting resources have been mobilized to battle the fast-moving wildfire, including:
- Type I Hotshot crews
- Multiple fire engines
- Air tankers
- Helicopters
Fire officials said rugged mountain terrain and shifting winds are making containment efforts extremely challenging, with forecasts indicating fire activity could intensify further on Monday.
Cause Under Investigation
The cause of the Gold Mountain Fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined how many homes are threatened by the advancing flames.
Extreme Fire Conditions Across Colorado
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for several counties on Colorado’s Western Slope, warning that hot, dry, and windy conditions could lead to rapid wildfire growth.
Officials say Colorado faces an elevated wildfire risk this year following the state’s warmest winter on record and historically low snowpack, leaving forests and grasslands exceptionally dry.
The Gold Mountain Fire is one of several active wildfires burning across western Colorado, alongside the Snyder Mesa Fire in Mesa County and the Ferris Fire in Dolores County, where firefighters are also battling increasing fire activity.