safety
Evacuations underway for structure, wildfire south of Rifle
By Taylor Cramer Follow
tcramer@postindependent.com at Glenwood Springs Post Independent
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
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 the fire agency....
Key takeaway He said the fire is around 28 acres, though he has not yet been able to get all the way around it.
Why this matters in Aspen News
As the fire south of Rifle threatens structures and gas wells, Aspen residents should be mindful of the potential for similar wildfires in the Roaring Fork Valley. The dry months in Aspen pose a significant wildfire danger, and the city's proximity to the Elk Mountains means that mountain-weather hazards can quickly escalate. While the fire near Rifle is not directly impacting Aspen, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of wildfire mitigation and preparedness in the region. The Aspen City government and Pitkin County officials should take note of the evacuations and emergency response efforts underway in Garfield County, and consider reviewing their own emergency protocols to ensure they are equipped to respond to a similar situation. With the dry season still underway, it's crucial for residents and visitors to exercise caution and adhere to any fire restrictions in place to prevent a similar disaster in the Aspen area.
About this story
Original reporting by Glenwood Springs Post Independent . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Glenwood Springs Post Independent . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Glenwood Springs Post Independent ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 the fire agency....
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Glenwood Springs Post Independent and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Taylor Cramer Follow
tcramer@postindependent.com at Glenwood Springs Post Independent. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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