Aspen Acres fire surpasses 100,000 acres as crews increase containment to more than 60%
Rain fell across parts of the state Friday, bringing mixed results for Gold Mountain, Ferris, Willow, Fishhook and Elk fires.
Safety News
Wildfires have scorched over 200,000 acres in Colorado this summer
Wildfires continued to ignite and burn across Colorado this week as widespread drought continues to plague the state. The Colorado Wildland Fire Status Dashboard showed seven large fires and a total of 28 active fires that had burned around 214,000 acres as of Friday afternoon...
Hiker rescued by helicopter from Maroon Peak
Mountain Rescue Aspen successfully rescued an overdue hiker from Maroon Peak on Thursday night into Friday morning. According to a press release, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a satellite text message at approximately 7:39 p.m., reporting an ove...
Leadville Race Series gets green light for final 4 summer events as Willow Fire reaches 40% containment
With the Willow Fire currently holding steady at roughly 6,800 acres and 40% containment, the Leadville Race Series announced Wednesday plans to move forward with its final four events of the summer, including the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Run. “The smoke is lifting and the ...
Aspen Acres containment climbs to 48% as crews focus on protecting Colorado communities
The state's largest currently burning wildfire remains active near the communities of Rye and San Isabel. Plus: Updates on Gold Mountain, Ferris, Willow, Fishhook and Elk fires....
Coach V’s Corner: Dicky V’s Run
I’ll be heading up to the Flat Tops once again this year on Aug. 12. It’s a date that is forever etched in my mind. I have driven up there on that date each of the past three summers just to go for a run, stop by my brother’s land to get some firewood and reminisce about days gon...
Colorado’s drought isn’t impacting water access to fight wildfires, officials say
Response teams for the Willow, Aspen Acres and Ferris fires say they’re not running into issues finding water to fight fires. Here’s how they do it.
Local news in brief, July 18
Willow Fire was 36% contained as of Friday
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What to know about navigating homeowners insurance amid wildfires
As wildfires burn across Colorado, homeowners whose properties are at risk — or have been destroyed — must navigate a complex insurance system. The Aspen Acres Fire, currently the seventh-largest in state history, has burned more than 99,000 acres across Pueblo and Custer cou...
2024 accident on Rio Grande Trail results in litigation
Lawsuit: Injured bicyclist sues e-bicyclist who declined to provide name on scene
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A cyclist rides on the Rio Grande Trail near Wheatley Open Space on Thursday, in the vicinity of the July 4, 2024, bicycle accident that is now part of ongoing litigation....
Lawsuit blames southern Colorado electric company for starting, spreading Aspen Acres fire
Property owners allege the power company should have cleared trees and organic matter than fueled the nearly 100,000-acre blaze
Aspen Acres fire leaps over containment line as hot, dry conditions continue in southern Colorado
The fire, the largest currently burning in the state, was estimated at 99,820 acres. Plus: updates on the Gold Mountain, Willow, Ferris, Fishhook, Green Ridge and Elk fires....
Thursday update: Fishhook Fire spreads to 347 acres; 0% contained
The Fishhook Fire, located 1.5 miles north of U.S. Highway 40 just southeast of Steamboat Ski Resort, has spread to 347 acres and is 0% contained as of 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to Routt National Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist Aaron Voos. Voos told newspaper s...
Fuller: Please protect Woody Creek
The proposed expansion of the Woody Creek racetrack into a 10-car racetrack and shooting range poses a direct threat to Woody Creek’s way of life. While the project is located on one property, its impacts, including increased noise, fire danger, water usage, traffic, light pollut...
Anticipated rain for Colorado’s mountains has forecasters starting to say ‘the monsoon is here’
The North American monsoon season is ramping up across the West, with the potential to bring much-needed rain as Colorado faces a historic drought and major wildfires, according to forecasters. National Weather Service forecaster Kris Sanders said that widespread, scattered sh...
Aspen Acres fire remains “serious threat” to homes in southern Colorado as new team takes command
The fire is 36% contained and remains a serious threat to the town of Rye. Plus: Updates on the Gold Mountain, Willow and Ferris fires.
Willow Fire caused by human activity, fire investigators say after reaching origin point near Leadville
The Willow Fire started near the Leadville National Fish Hatchery in the late afternoon Sunday, June 28, and investigators have now determined it was caused by human activity. The Lake County Government’s information page about the fire states investigators from the U.S. Fores...
Started hours apart, 2 Routt County fires challenge local response
Routt County’s first two notable wildfires of the season ignited within two hours of each other Sunday afternoon, prompting evacuation orders, road closures and a multi-agency response across the region. The first wildfire start, located just north of Rabbit Ears Pass and fou...
Hotter weather, stronger winds provide no relief as Aspen Acres fire approaches 100,000 acres
The wildfire burning across Pueblo and Custer Counties was 36% contained Tuesday morning. Plus: Updates on the Gold Mountain, Ferris and Willow fires.
Colorado Division of Insurance to host virtual town hall on wildfire insurance issues
The Colorado Division of Insurance will host a virtual town hall covering wildfire insurance issues on Wednesday, July 15, at 5 p.m., according to a news release. Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway and division staff will cover topics including homeowners insurance...
Vehicle fire ignites on Woody Creek racetrack
Spreads to brush and grass, contained at less than 1 acre
racetrack fire
A car at the Woody Creek auto racetrack caught fire shortly before 1 p.m. Monday. The fire was contained to less than an acre with no injuries reported....
Heat, wind expected to intensify Colorado wildfires as Aspen Acres nears 100,000 acres
The Aspen Acres fire, in Pueblo and Custer counties, remains Colorado’s largest wildfire at 98,609 acres. Crews are also battling growth on fires near Ouray, Leadville and Dolores....
Vehicle fire contained near Woody Creek
Aspen Fire Protection District successfully contained a vehicle fire near Twining Flats after multiple 911 callers reported a smoke column in the Woody Creek area Monday. Pano AI cameras — operated in partnership between the Aspen Fire Protection District, the city of Aspen, P...
Top 5 most-read stories last week
Stories in this list received the most page views on postindependent.com from July 6-July 13. 1. Battlement Trail Fire 99% contained The Battlement Trail Fire, estimated the size of a football field, is currently burning near Parachute. A pre-evacuation notice is currently ...
Wildland firefighters say things are ‘basically as dry as they can get’ in Colorado’s forests — fueling ‘schizophrenic’ wildfire behavior
A historic drought is turning Colorado’s mountain landscapes into a tinderbox. After last winter’s record-low snowpack, wildland firefighters who continuously monitor indexes of weather and climate data to help predict wildfire risk and how conditions might affect fire behavio...
Public safety officials report low number of personal firework incidents over July Fourth weekend
Prior to Independence Day, Eagle County law enforcement made a call to action for Eagle County residents and tourists alike to follow Stage 2 fire restrictions over the course of the busy holiday. This included personal firework usage, which concerned some officials who were ...
Voss: Basic first aid principles to help your pet
Accidents are part of life when you share it with an adventurous dog. Here in Aspen, our pets spend far more time outside than the average American dog. They scramble over rocky trails, run alongside sharp ski edges, chase squirrels into groundhog holes and occasionally discover ...
Colorado realtors’ foundation sets up grant for residents impacted by wildfires
The Colorado Association of Realtors Foundation has started a fund to help homeowners address damages from wildfires burning across the state, according to a news release. The foundation will provide grants up to $1,500 per household to help Coloradans who “have lost their hom...
Guest column: Wildfire smoke raises health concerns
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has recently issued Air Quality Health Advisories for wildfire smoke in many Colorado counties, including Garfield County. CDPHE recommends that people stay indoors if smoke becomes thick in their neighborhoods. That is ...
Aspen Acres fire took everything from them but their lives. Here’s how a few Colorado survivors are facing an uncertain future.
Some locals fled the fire moments before it consumed their homes and land. Others never had a chance to gather any of their belongings.
Skinner: French firefly sparks wonder
I finally saw my first firefly of the summer. This is huge because I used to live among them in the Crystal River Valley. I saw them...
Wildfire management top-of-mind for western governors in meeting with US Forest Service chief
As wildfires rage across the West, governors are asking the U.S. Forest Service how state and federal agencies can better partner on management and prevention. The question hung over a panel discussion during a June 30 meeting of the Western Governors’ Association in Deer Val...
Disaster relief groups like the Red Cross are providing aid to thousands fleeing 3 major wildfires in Colorado
As major wildfires burn across Colorado, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes, volunteers are stepping in to help feed, shelter and support those fleeing fires. Dozens of recreational vehicles have filled Darren Patterson Christian Academy’s parking lot in Buena Vista thi...
Aspen Acres fire could burn for a “long duration” and last into winter
Firefighters main concern is stopping flames from marching west. The Aspen Acres and Ferris fires now rank among the state’s 10th largest on record.
Beulah water teams assess Aspen Acres damage to utilities, while working through losses, evacuations
Water managers are taking the first steps toward supplying clean water to their communities after the wildfire, but it will be a long road. Most other active fires in Colorado have missed critical water systems....
Colorado River, public lands reopen as Snyder Fire containment increases
State and federal agencies are starting to reopen public lands, state wildlife areas and a segment of the Colorado River that were closed in light of the Snyder Fire in Mesa County. Stage 2 fire restrictions — banning all open fire or flames, including charcoal grills and woo...
Showers and thunderstorms forecast for Colorado’s high country as wildfires rage across the state
Following several days of hot, dry weather, Colorado’s Western Slope is poised to see a period of rainy skies with possible thunderstorms ahead of what meteorologists expect to be an active monsoon season arriving later this summer. Beginning Tuesday, a wave of energy is expec...
Skies clear — for now — after smoke fills Roaring Fork Valley
Mitigating health risks of low air quality as wildfire risks increase
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The Willow Fire near Telluride ignited on June 28. As of Saturday, it had reached 5,342 acres and was at 22% containment.
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Hussam Mahmoud, an international authority on wildfire resilience and community-scale risk reduction and director of the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate, works on fire and smoke modeling in the Roaring Fork Valley....
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A smoky sunset seen from Hunter Creek in Aspen on June 29. Multiple large fires were burning in Colorado to the southwest, west and east of Aspen.
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Smoke is visible on July 10 looking toward Ridgway and Ouray coming down Dallas Divide. The Gold Mountain and Elk fires are burning in the area.
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The Prineville Hotshots take a break on July 8 as the Ferris Fire, located in southwestern Colorado, makes another push up the canyon.
Firefighters in Beulah recount desperate battle against “monster” blaze fueled by 100 mph winds
For Beulah’s volunteer fire department, the Aspen Acres fire was a nightmare scenario they had trained for: a fast-moving blaze that forced the 27-member department to fight to protect neighbors’ homes...
More Pueblo County residents returning home after firefighters double containment of Aspen Acres blaze
Crews are making progress on fires across the state, but those fighting the Aspen Acres fire anticipate their efforts will continue for weeks
Aspen Acres fire has destroyed 780 structures across Pueblo and Custer counties, new aerial analysis shows
The estimate from Vexcel Data, a private company that flies over natural disasters, includes garages, barns and sheds. It exceeds official county reports, which remain incomplete as damage assessments continue....
Woodruff: Philanthropic support needed for wildfire prevention efforts
All this past winter, my hiking boots were striking dry trails or crunchy grasses when we should have been donning skate skis...
Juvenile on scooter injured in accident with vehicle
Incident under investigation as of Thursday evening
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Aspen Police Chief Kim Ferber stands in front of the scene of an accident involving a juvenile on a scooter and a vehicle exiting a parking garage on the 200 block of E. Hyman Avenue. The juvenile suffered “unknown” injuries…...
Vehicle crash with scooter causes injury in downtown Aspen
Aspen Police responded to an injury crash — a vehicle versus a juvenile on a scooter — in the 200 block of East Hyman on Thursday. They responded at approximately 11:30 a.m., according to a press release. The juvenile suffered unknown injuries and is currently being treated at...
Colorado Trail Explorer app shares wildfire alerts for outdoor recreationists
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding the Colorado outdoor community that the Colorado Trail Explorer — also known as COTREX — mobile app displays active fire alerts, which include wildfires and prescribed burns in covered areas. To access these alerts, users can open the ...
Aspen Acres fire sees some rain relief as crews fight into 11th day, but threat of flash flooding emerges
While rain and higher humidity should reduce Colorado wildfire spread, wind and flash flooding across the burn scar could bring new danger
A contradiction — no fires or are some permitted?
John Norman — Maybe I am missing something! The article in The Aspen Times states in paragraph two: ‘Stage 2 fire restrictions...
bears
Members of the city of Aspen Parks and Open Space and the Aspen Police Department attempt to drive bear cubs away from populated areas in September 2025. Bears are coming out much earlier than normal this summer because of the…...
Remembering the Storm King 14
Thirty-two years after 14 wildland firefighters were killed on Storm King Mountain, Glenwood Springs continues to remember the people whose deaths reshaped the community and wildland firefighting across the country. The South Canyon Fire, better known locally as the Storm King...
Aspen Acres damage toll rises as Beulah fire chief reports 193 homes burned in fire
Officials said Wednesday the fire has burned at least 275 homes in Pueblo and Custer counties
Local news in brief, July 8
Western Colorado fire info released Tuesday
Where are wildfires creating the most smoke on Colorado’s Western Slope?
Smoke is continuing to waft through the mountains from wildfires burning in Colorado and neighboring states, prompting health advisories due to air quality. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an air quality health advisory through at least Tues...
Snowmass Town Council moves to authorize enforcement of Pitkin County fire restrictions
Snowmass Town Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance Monday to authorize the enforcement of Pitkin County fire restrictions. The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 013-2026 earlier this year, according to a staff report su...
Aspen Acres fire grows to nearly 94,000 acres as forecasters eye chance of rain
Moisture could bring scattered showers to the fire Wednesday, but hot, dry and windy conditions are expected to return by the weekend
PHOTOS: ACES hosts annual Raptor Fair at Hallam Lake in Aspen
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies hosted its annual Raptor Fair on Friday at Hallam Lake in Aspen. Unfortunately, due to some of the wildfires in the state, the visiting birds from Nature’s Educators were not able to attend. Despite this, guests were still able to lea...
Aspen Acres destruction climbs to 263 homes lost in Pueblo, Custer counties
More than 1,300 personnel were assigned to the fire burning southwest of Pueblo as of Monday
Battlement Trail Fire 99% contained
The Battlement Trail Fire, which prompted evacuations near the Battlement Mesa Golf Course on Sunday, is now 99% contained. The fire started at about 4:45 p.m. Sunday, and burned 20.8 acres, according to an update from the Grand Valley Fire Protection District. Fire crews will...
Damage assessment teams begin work in Aspen Acres fire zone as weather gives firefighters an edge
Weather conditions will likely give firefighters working to contain the massive Aspen Acres fire an edge again Sunday. “Yesterday was our first day without red flag warnings and we have no red flag warnings for today,” Operations Section Chief Brad Washa, of Alaska Complex Inc...
Aspen Acres fire grows 8,000 acres overnight, hundreds more firefighters arrive in southern Colorado
Colorado’s largest active wildfire consumed more than 8,000 acres overnight as hundreds more firefighters arrived in Pueblo and Custer counties to try to slow the fire’s spread. The Aspen Acres fire roared across another 13 square miles late Friday night and early Saturday mor...
Parts of Fremont County evacuated as Aspen Acres fire surges past 91,000 acres
The Willow fire near Leadville grew by 900 acres overnight spurring mandatory evacuation of areas southwest of the city. Ouray 100 race canceled because of Gold Mountain fire....
With new austere emergency care training, Eagle County emergency providers can save lives in any scenario
Eagle County Paramedic Services is expanding the width of paramedic abilities to be ready for any emergency, especially in the outdoors. The paramedics team recently hosted austere emergency care training for 11 of its paramedics to learn to respond to prolonged medical emerge...
Community editorial: Fire season demands action
Wildfire season has already made its presence known across the Colorado River and Roaring Fork valleys. The Paradise Creek Fire in West Glenwood, the Dry Creek Fire in Rifle and other recent starts have offered a troubling preview of what could lie ahead if hot, dry and windy ...
Bridging Bionics gala raises necessary funds to change lives
On Dec. 27, 2024, a skiing accident left New Mexico-resident Ulrich John paralyzed. He had been a professional skier and was simply giving his son a ski lesson on a green run when he suddenly lost his balance. Last March, he participated in Bridging Bionics’ newest initiative, th...
Dry, smoky Independence Day weekend ahead for Colorado’s western mountains, with chances for isolated thunderstorms
Fourth of July in Colorado’s Western Slope is expected to remain mostly dry, hot and smoky, with a high risk of wildfires persisting through the next few days. The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert on Thursday, July 2, for northwestern and northcentral count...
Colorado Hockey Community Mourns Fallen Firefighter Emily Barker
The Vail-area women’s hockey community is reeling from the loss of wildland firefighter Emily Barker, an Eagle resident who played defense for the Downvalley Divas, one of several Eagle County women’s teams. The Vail area is home to one of the country’s most robust women’s hoc...
Aspen Acres fire grows to 87,000 acres as firefighting force expands on Fourth of July holiday
The fire southwest of Pueblo is now the 8th largest fire by acreage in Colorado history. Snyder fire on Western Slope is 95% contained, as other fires see modest growth....
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A vintage Aspen Fire Protection District truck cruises down Main Street in Aspen’s Fourth of July parade on Saturday.
Aspen’s newest officer follows in father’s footsteps
The Aspen Police Department now has a father-son duo following the recent swearing in of three new officers at an Aspen City Council meeting at the end of May. The new inductees included Officers Berta Rivera, Tatum Hunsader and Trey Fabrocini. With his swearing in, Trey has t...
Luxe List: The Fourth, fashion and summer fun
If there was ever a time to lean into Americana, it would have to be this Fourth of July, which will not only bring its usual barbecues and fireworks (err … drone show), it is also our fair country’s 250th anniversary — otherwise known as the hard-to-pronounce Semiquincentennial...
Opinion | Quinton: Enough climate hushing — Colorado needs to lead
I write this on the eve of the Fourth of July, and the air in the Eagle River Valley tastes like smoke. The Willow Fire is burning outside Leadville. The Gold Mountain Fire has scorched thousands of acres near Ouray. Fires across the Western Slope have pushed Colorado’s burned...
Aspen Acres fire surpasses 74,000 acres, now 8th largest in state history; 11,000 people have been evacuated
The fire southwest of Pueblo “exhibited extreme fire behavior overnight” as thousands of firefighters have descended on the state. Crews are gaining containment on other fires....
How to prepare for each stage of ‘Ready. Set. Go!’ wildfire evacuation protocols
In Colorado and most of the U.S., emergency managers use the “Ready. Set. Go!” framework to help communicate evacuation orders. The “Set” stage coincides with pre-evacuation orders, where officials put neighborhoods on standby for possible evacuation. The “Go!” stage usually coin...
Amid extreme fire danger, here are 8 things every Coloradan should have in their wildfire go-bag
The risk of wildfires is high across Colorado, and officials say residents and visitors need to be ready for the possibility that evacuation orders could be issued at a moment’s notice. The American Red Cross recommends every household have an emergency supply kit ready long b...
Independence Pass reopens following accident
Update: As of 9:10 p.m., Highway 82 has reopened in both directions on Independence Pass. An accident has closed Independence Pass from the winter closure gate to Lincoln Creek in both directions on Highway 82. As of 7:47 p.m., the expected length of the closure is unknown,...
She left her dad as flames from the Aspen Acres fire closed in. Hours later, a deputy found him alive.
Daisy Weeks fled to safety after her father refused to evacuate his Beulah home, spending hours believing he was dead. Then a sheriff's deputy found him walking down a dark road with his cat...
Colorado’s wildfires scorch 129,000 acres as critical fire danger persists
More than 300 firefighters are battling the 50,187-acre Aspen Acres fire, the state’s largest active fire, which remained 0% contained. Officials warn more growth is inevitable....
Margo: Aspen is ‘so fire’ — like literally
“I say let’s get the heck out of here,” I told Ryan’s parents as a mountain of black smoke billowed over downtown Basalt, dark...
More than 1,700 personnel are battling 5 major fires in Colorado as hot, dry weather continues into holiday weekend
Wildfires fueled by hot, windy weather and extremely dry conditions have ravaged more than 125,000 acres across Colorado’s mountains in the past week, according to federal wildfire officials. There are more than 1,700 personnel battling five major wildfires across the state. C...
Opinion | O’Neil: Holy Cross Energy committed to wildfire mitigation
Holy Cross Energy (HCE) is committed to safely providing reliable electric power services to our more than 46,500 cooperative members throughout the Eagle, Roaring Fork, and Colorado River valleys. This commitment extends to taking all the steps we can to reduce the risk of wildf...
Semi cleared, 10th Street reopened following diesel spill in Glenwood Springs
Update, 5:36 p.m.: A semi has been cleared from Colorado Highway 82 following a large diesel fuel spill in Glenwood Springs, and the intersection at 10th Street has reopened, according to a Facebook post from the Glenwood Springs Police Department. The eastbound and southbound...
Wildfire danger is ‘through the roof’ as Fourth of July travel kicks off busiest time of year for I-70 traffic
One of the busiest travel periods of the year is underway on Colorado’s Interstate 70 corridor as tens of thousands of drivers head to the mountains to celebrate the Fourth of July. With so many people hitting the roads for the holiday, transportation officials are urging trav...
Crews continue fighting Willow Fire as area grows and containment remains 0%
The Willow Fire, which started June 28 outside Leadville, has grown to 2,011 acres, and a higher-level incident management team has taken command of the response, according to updates posted by the management team and the Lake County Office of Emergency Management. Southwest A...
Vail area women’s hockey community mourns loss of fallen firefighter Emily Barker
The Vail-area women’s hockey community is reeling from the loss of wildland firefighter Emily Barker, an Eagle resident who played defense for the Downvalley Divas, one of several Eagle County women’s teams. The Vail area is home to one of the country’s most robust women’s hoc...
Gasoline spill closes lane on eastbound Colorado Highway 82 in Glenwood Springs
Motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays on eastbound Colorado Highway 82 and Interstate 70 near Glenwood Springs due to a gasoline spill, according to an alert from the city of Glenwood Springs. The lane closure is in place on eastbound Highway 82, headed upvalley, fr...
Get to know your neighbors at ACES’ Raptor Fair
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the visiting birds of prey will no longer be able to attend due to evacuation from a wildfire. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is bringing back its Raptor Fair at Hallam Lake on Friday, July 3, showcasing program r...
All fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in most Colorado mountain communities this Fourth of July
Personal fireworks, including sparklers, are not allowed to be part of the Fourth of July festivities in most Colorado mountain communities this year due to the widespread drought and extreme fire danger. Wildfires are burning across the West, including six major wildfires in ...
“This has become a national fight”: More resources ordered as Aspen Acres fire in Pueblo, Custer counties expands, scorching 35,000 acres
The Aspen Acres fire is roughly 2 miles from Bishop Castle, a popular roadside attraction in Custer County, and 7 miles from the unincorporated community of Wetmore...
GarCo gives superwealthy a $10M tax-dodger handout
PJ Breslin — One week into fire season and the West is ablaze. Our mostly volunteer firefighting forces are hard at work.
Anderson leading Boston in Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Democratic Primary voting
Vail Police Sgt. Rebecca Anderson was decisively leading 5th Judicial District chief district attorney’s investigator Jason Boston after the final round of preliminary, unofficial election results was recorded Tuesday at 11:48 p.m. The two Democrats were vying for their party’s ...
Pitkin County reports ‘surprising’ number of bat exposures in past week
As of Tuesday, Emergency Response and Epidemiology Program Administrator for Pitkin County Carlyn Porter has sent a total of six bats to Denver to get tested for rabies, with five negative, one pending and one more bat reported and awaiting capture. Of those, the five that te...
What to know about evacuating Snowmass in case of a wildfire
What is Snowmass Village’s evacuation plan if a wildfire were to threaten the town? There’s a complicated answer, according to Chief of Snowmass Village Police Brian Olson. Snowmass is fully surrounded by forests and shrubland, and much of that vegetation is moderately to ...
Wildfires are spreading quickly in Colorado’s drought-stricken mountains as demand for firefighting resources tightens nationwide
Wildfires fueled by high winds and historic drought conditions raged across Colorado and the West this weekend — burning thousands of acres, forcing evacuations and resulting in the deaths of three firefighters. Firefighters on Friday achieved full containment on the Dry Creek...
Public access, recreation closed on Colorado River downstream of Fruita amid fire danger
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has issued an emergency closure for all public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River from James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita to the Utah state line. Working with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Offi...
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Lake County wildfireSmoke from the Willow Fire west of Leadville is seen from the Aspen Meadows campus on Sunday evening. As of press time on Monday, the fire was still burning, about two miles northwest of the Leadville Fish Hatchery…...
As Eagle County towns cancel shows, fire officials watch for uptick in personal fireworks use on July 4
Eagle River Fire Chief Mick Woodworth is no stranger to an uptick in personal firework activity surrounding Independence Day. From smaller sparklers and firework cones to giant bottle rockets, he’s seen it all. However, this year, while he hopes not to see any firework activity, ...
More than 150 structures destroyed in Aspen Acres fire burning in Pueblo and Custer counties, officials say
Between eight and 10 aircraft dropped water and retardant on the flames when conditions allowed crews to fly, but winds are expected to pick up Tuesday afternoon, officials say...
Mountain Rescue Aspen responds to West Maroon Pass medical emergency
Mountain Rescue Aspen successfully rescued a subject experiencing a medical emergency roughly five miles up the West Maroon Pass trail, at approximately 11,200 feet, Sunday afternoon. Mountain Rescue Aspen was notified at about 2:04 p.m., according to a press release, and disp...
Amid firework cancellations, Colorado’s mountain towns look to alternative celebrations for the country’s 250th Independence Day weekend
Fourth of July celebrations are heating up for Colorado mountain resort towns — figuratively and physically As more counties face increasing wildfire risk and respond with stricter fire restrictions, many are looking to firework alternatives to celebrate the country’s 250th an...
‘The calm in the storm’: Mesa County range rider fills gap outside of state wolf program
Collbran resident Christina Vander Berg had a 25-year career investigating fires and built a life as a Western Slope cattle producer and rodeo judge. Over the past two years, she’s stepped into a new role that draws on her passions and experience: serving as a range rider amid Co...
Rifle police increasing enforcement of bike, e-bike and scooter violations
The Rifle Police Department will increase enforcement of bicycle, e-bike, e-moto and scooter violations in the coming weeks after officers observed a growing number of unsafe riding behaviors throughout the community. Police said officers have become increasingly concerned abo...
Rifle cancels fireworks for July 3 Celebration
The City of Rifle is canceling fireworks for its July 3 Celebration after consulting with the Colorado River Fire Rescue due to extreme fire danger, the city announced in a press release on Thursday. Rifle is under Stage 2 fire restrictions along with the rest of Garfield Cou...
Fire southwest of Pueblo explodes to 23,000 acres amid 100-mph wind gusts
The Aspen Acres fire was the latest wildfire to ignite across southern Colorado and the Western Slope amid extremely dry conditions, strong winds and extreme heat...
Two Rifle Helitack firefighters among three killed in Knowles Fire incident
The U.S. Department of the Interior on Monday released the names of three firefighters who died Saturday while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado, including two assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew. The firefighters were engaged in initial attack operations on t...
The smoke in the Colorado mountains has cleared, but gusty winds will lead to ‘red flag’ fire conditions
The smoke that blanketed Colorado mountain skies for much of the week has dissipated, but officials are warning that high winds this weekend will increase the wildfire danger amid widespread drought. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings across the Western...
Identities released of 3 firefighters who died responding to Knowles Fire in Colorado
MESA COUNTY, Colo. — Federal wildland fire officials released the identities of three firefighters who died while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday. The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operat...
3 firefighters killed, 2 injured while tackling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border
BEAVER, Utah — Three firefighters were killed and two sustained burn injuries when they were overcome by flames from fast-moving wildfires in hot, windy conditions near the Colorado-Utah border. The firefighters deployed emergency shelters for themselves during the so-called b...
Willow Fire grows to 1,066 acres near Leadville
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect new growth of the Willow Fire. A wildfire that grew to more than 1,000 acres in a matter of hours near Leadville in the evening Sunday, June 28, sent smoke rolling into Summit County and led emergency officials to ask resid...
Leadville wildfire column visible from Pitkin County
A “significant wildfire column” from the Willow Fire that has broken out west/northwest of Leadville in Lake County was visible from Pitkin County as of 5:48 p.m., according to a Pitkin Alert. The fire grew to more than 1,000 acres in a matter of hours Sunday evening. Evacuati...
The Blind Spot: The silent fire in your mouth
You’ve had this moment. The hygienist finishes your cleaning, glances at her notes and says it almost as an afterthought: “Just a little bleeding back here. Nothing to worry about.” You nod. You forget about it before you’ve left your parking spot. That sentence may be the mos...
Aspen Fire recommends wildfire hardening for APCHA HOAs
Andy Fisher, deputy chief of Aspen Fire Protection District, presented to the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority board on Wednesday, June 17, about wildfire hardening procedures for APCHA-owned building complexes, urging hardening against ember showers and vegetation removal a...
Aspen’s new wildfire code could increase some costs
Aspen’s recently adopted wildfire resilience code is slightly increasing the costs of new developments and some renovations that include square footage expansion, according to contractors and architects. Bonnie Muhigirwa, Aspen’s chief building official, noted that while the c...
Crews fighting Dry Creek fire in Garfield County get reprieve after overnight rains
The size of the fire that started Tuesday south of Rifle did not grow and remains around 315 acres as of Thursday morning
Citing water restrictions, Avon cancels July 3 fireworks
Avon Town Manager Eric Heil on Friday made the decision to cancel Avon’s fireworks display for the Salute to the USA event. “This decision is based on the designation of Stage 2 Fire Restrictions by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the lack of any rain in the forecast o...
High Points: Living with Stage 2 fire restrictions
The High Point? Well, as of this writing, it is that, thus far in this very dry June, there has yet to be a fire of severe consequence in the Roaring Fork Valley. I use the word “severe” because, although we have had fires, they have been stymied by the outstanding work of our...
Town of Vail cancels fireworks as stage 2 fire restrictions set to begin Friday
Stage 2 fire restrictions will go into effect across Eagle County on Friday, banning campfires, personal fireworks and other spark-producing activities. The notice prompted the town of Vail to cancel its regularly scheduled Independence Day fireworks event, citing conditions a...
Eagle County government gets fired up during the celebration of the new geothermal system
On June 25, Eagle County flipped the switch of the new geothermal heating and cooling system that lies just below the Eagle County building in Eagle. The new $14 million system, which replaced the building’s dying boiler, will aid Eagle County’s greenhouse gas reduction goal of 5...
Smoky skies prompt health advisories in Colorado’s mountains as wildfires balloon across the West
A haze from out-of-state wildfires is choking the Colorado mountains as widespread drought and persistent hot, dry weather continue to elevate the fire danger. The smoke wafting across the Western Slope is primarily from three major wildfires burning out of control in Utah and...
Stage 2 fire restrictions begin Friday in Garfield County, White River National Forest
Stage 2 fire restrictions will take effect across Garfield County and the White River National Forest at 1 a.m. on Friday, June 26, as hot, dry and windy conditions continue to increase fire danger across the region, according to press releases from both the county and the forest...
Dry Creek Fire reaches 90% containment
Update, 5:45 p.m. Thursday: The Dry Creek Fire south of Rifle reached 90% containment Thursday evening, Colorado River Fire Rescue Chief Leif Sackett said. Sackett said conditions are looking good around most of the fire, though crews are still working along the west and north...
Air quality advisory issued today due to wildfire smoke
Stage 2 fire restrictions begin Friday; fire weather watch in effect Saturday
Wind-driven wildfire burns two structures in Rifle, forces evacuations
The Dry Creek fire was estimated at 315 acres as of Wednesday morning after starting Tuesday in Garfield County
Dry Creek Fire grows to 315 acres south of Rifle
Update, 9 a.m. Wednesday: The Dry Creek Fire south of Rifle has grown to an estimated 315 acres as of Wednesday morning, according to an update from Colorado River Fire Rescue on Facebook. Management of the fire transitioned at 7 a.m. Wednesday to the Upper Colorado River Inte...
White River National Forest moves into Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Friday
All lands managed by the White River National Forest will be under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, June 26, the agency announced Wednesday. Under Stage 2 restrictions, campfires and charcoal are prohibited everywhere on the White River National Forest, including in...
Dry Creek Fire reaches 35% containment
Update, 5:15 p.m. Wednesday: The Dry Creek Fire south of Rifle is now 35% contained, according to watchduty.org. Firefighters have made progress constructing direct handline and installing hose lays along the western perimeter of the fire, according to a Wednesday evening Face...
Colorado could see more haze this week from wildfires burning elsewhere in the West
Colorado could continue to see hazy skies this week as wildfire activity in the West picks up. Smoke from three large wildfires burning in Utah and Nevada pushed across the Western Slope over the weekend, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environmen...
Fire on the Mountain
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an air quality health advisory today for Aspen, the Roaring Fork Valley and many Western Slope counties due to smoke from out-of-state wildfires....
Bonfire Coffee upgrades to larger roasting facility
New space in Glenwood Springs welcoming customers
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Bonfire Coffee Founder Charlie Chacos, right, stands with head roaster Clay Gailey in front of equipment at their new roasting facility in Glenwood Springs on June 11....
Dry Creek Fire grows to 288 acres south of Rifle
Update, 5:15 p.m. Tuesday: The Dry Creek Fire south of Rifle on Gage Road is estimated at 288 acres, Colorado River Fire Rescue spokesperson Maria Nechkash said Tuesday evening. Evacuations are in progress for Gage Road and part of the Grass Mesa area, Nechkash said. No struct...
Sylvan Lake among state parks experiencing water shortages, reduced boating access
Impacts from Colorado’s extreme drought conditions are hitting several state parks in the state’s northwest corner. Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced emergency water conservation measures and boating restrictions at both Sylvan Lake State Park in Eagle County and Rifle Ga...
June 10 Rifle fire ruled human-caused, investigators seek tips
Investigators have determined the June 10 structure and wildland fire near Willow Creek Circle and Government Creek in Rifle was human-caused, though the specific ignition source has not been identified. Colorado River Fire Rescue and the Rifle Police Department are asking for...
Northwest Colorado state parks experiencing water shortages, reduced boating access
Impacts from Colorado’s extreme drought conditions are hitting several state parks in the state’s northwest corner. Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced emergency water conservation measures and boating restrictions at both Sylvan Lake State Park in Eagle County and Rifle Ga...
Rifle hires former police chief to return to department
Thomas Klein Jr. was confirmed Wednesday evening during Rifle City Council’s meeting as the city’s next chief of police. Klein will return to the role he previously held from 2017 to 2021, bringing more than 30 years of law enforcement and municipal leadership experience bac...
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A woman holds a bag of Bonfire Coffee in the new Glenwood Springs store on June 11.
Dry Creek Fire grows to 189 acres south of Rifle
Update, 5:15 p.m. Tuesday: The Dry Creek Fire south of Rifle on Gage Road is estimated at 189 acres, Colorado River Fire Rescue spokesperson Maria Nechkash said Tuesday evening. Evacuations are in progress for Gage Road and part of the Grass Mesa area, Nechkash said. No struct...
Evacuations underway for structure, wildfire south of Rifle
Crews are responding to a structure fire and wildfire south of Rifle on Gage Road, where additional structures and gas wells are threatened, according to Colorado River Fire Rescue. Evacuations are in progress for Gage Road and are moving into the Grass Mesa area, according to...
Pitkin County to enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on Friday
Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 26, which was announced at a joint Aspen City Council and Board of County Commissioners meeting on Monday. This follows Pitkin County’s move into Stage 1 on June 10. Accor...
Colorado’s mountains summers are getting warmer, exacerbating drought and wildfire risk
Summer is off to a hot start in the Colorado mountains as soaring temperatures, a lack of precipitation and wind are worsening already severe drought conditions and exacerbating wildfire concerns. Across most of the mountain region, June has featured near-record temperatures a...
Dillon and Summit County record second-hottest start to June
Summer is off to a hot start in the Colorado mountains as soaring temperatures, a lack of precipitation and wind are worsening already severe drought conditions and exacerbating wildfire concerns. Across most of the mountain region, June has featured near-record temperatures a...
Colorado’s mountain summers are getting warmer, exacerbating drought and wildfire risk
Summer is off to a hot start in the Colorado mountains as soaring temperatures, a lack of precipitation and wind are worsening already severe drought conditions and exacerbating wildfire concerns. Across most of the mountain region, June has featured near-record temperatures a...
Friday letters: Paradise Creek Fire response, Baker support and more
Grateful to our community I was just one of thousands forced off the interstate or stuck on it June 9 due to the Paradise Creek Fire near South Canyon exit. I was stuck at the West Glenwood exit for seven hours. I was lucky enough to watch the rafters and kayakers on the river...
Colorado destinations see higher booking pace for Fourth of July weekend
Colorado resort destinations are seeing higher bookings for Independence Day weekend than last year, even as falling consumer confidence slows discretionary spending. As counties in Colorado’s Western Slope implement stricter fire restrictions amid an uptick in wildfire activi...
Willoughby: Coal, hoppers and clinkers
Home heating at 8,000 feet is vital for survival. Innovations for efficiency, convenience and cost were implemented. The last phases were employed when I was a child. In early decades, home heat was fueled by wood and coal. Homes had fireplaces and stoves, including kitchen s...
Popular Colorado mountain destinations, including most-visited national forest, to enter Stage 1 restrictions
The entire White River National Forest will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions on Friday, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. The White River National Forest is the most visited national forest in the United States, drawing nearly 18 million visitors annuall...
