Gold Mountain fire continues to grow
The Gold Mountain fire outside Ouray grew steadily over the weekend, and was reported to be up to 26,504 acres at 5pm yesterday. According to the fire’s official FaceBook page, firefighters were working towards strategic firing operations. To carry out a firing operation, firefighters cut away vegetation to make a line of bare soil ahead of a fire, and then burn the vegetation between that line and the actively burning fire front. This essentially manipulates the fire to create a wider fireline, but can be difficult to execute, especially in the rugged terrain of the Gold Mountain Fire. The announcement also stated that the firing operations would likely be visible to the city of Ridgway and the 550 Freeway corridor. A “spike camp,” or a temporary remote base, was established for personnel on the northeast side of the fire to reduce firefighter personnel travel time and position resources closer to high-priority operational areas and improve response efficiency.
Officials are also reminding the public that a temporary flight restriction has been put into place to allow aerial assets to be used safely by firefighters. Any private drone or airplane that flies within the restricted airspace will cause all helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, and drones being used to fight the fire to be grounded immediately for safety. Residents may be tempted to fly drones in order to see the fire, but officials say that doing so can severely impact firefighting efforts. Check out the Gold Mountain Fire Facebook page for more information on the restriction. Several organizations are accepting donations for impacted families and first responders. Ouray County is also accepting volunteers to provide food, transport personnel, provide time or expertise, or help with livestock. The County also has a form for individuals or families impacted by the fire. You can find more information on donations, volunteer opportunities, and assistance for those impacted on the webpost for this newscast.
Aspen Acres fire becomes the seventh largest recorded wildfire in Colorado
And the Aspen Acres fire southwest of Pueblo surged this weekend, becoming the seventh largest wildfire on record in Colorado. Authorities have said that the fire was human-caused, but haven’t released any further details. It originated near the Aspen Acres campground in Pueblo county, and has since forced the evacuation of several nearby towns. More than 180 structures have been destroyed. The fire had been 13% contained by yesterday evening.
Roan Plateau to be opened to drilling
The Bureau of Land Management's upcoming December 2026 oil and gas lease sale includes parcels covering thousands of acres on the Roan Plateau in Western Colorado.
This comes after nearly a decade of protests and lawsuits by conservation groups to block drilling in the area which is known for its diverse wildlife habitat.
For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh spoke with Peter Hart, legal director for Carbondale's Wilderness Workshop, to find out more.
The public has until July 9 to comment on the BLM's December 2026 lease sale.
