GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Authorities have identified the five teens killed after their car veered off road and down into a cliff in Grand Junction over the weekend.

William Simms, Tyler Kersey, Tristan Tucker, Titus Gould and Brandon Taylor all 17 years old died from injuries sustained in the crash, which occurred Saturday night near 2694 Lookout Lane.

Grand Junction police said in a news release Monday the car was traveling south on the roadway when it veered off the road and down a steep hillside.

First responders were not dispatched to the crash site until early Sunday morning. Police have not said how the crash was discovered or what prompted the Sunday morning response.

Investigators also said they are examining speed as a possible factor in the deadly crash.

Three of the occupants, including the driver and front-seat passenger, were wearing seat belts, while two others were ejected from the vehicle, according to the news release.

Personnel from the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Search and Rescue, Grand Junction Fire Department and the Mesa County Coroner's Office worked together to recover the victims from the crash site.

A 2023 Google Street View image of Lookout Lane does not show guardrails along the stretch of road where the crash occurred. It is unclear whether any barriers were in place at the time of Saturday's crash.

Authorities have not indicated whether roadway design or the absence of guardrails played any role in the crash.

In a statement released Tuesday, Mesa County Valley School District 51 said the first day of the new school year was marked by both excitement and profound grief, as the community mourned the loss of students who were not there to begin the year.

Grand Junction Chief of Police Matt Smith expressed his condolences to the families of the five teens killed in the crash in a social media post Wednesday morning.

"As we continue to move forward together in the coming days, weeks, and months, please know that the men and women of the Grand Junction Police Department stand alongside our community," said Smith. "We share in your grief, we remain committed to supporting one another, and we will continue to be here for the community we serve."

DENVER A female wolf reintroduced from Canada last year was accidentally mistaken for a coyote when she was shot and killed by a hunter in January, state wildlife officials said Monday.

Those are the findings of a monthslong investigation by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which determined that a licensed hunter shot and killed the female wolf on Jan. 16, 2026.

A spokesperson for the agency said the hunter, who promptly reported the incident to CPW and cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation, was given a $140 citation and five suspension points on their license for violating CPW regulations.

The agency is not pursuing any other charges against the hunter, the CPW spokesperson said.

Unlawful take of protected species is a criminal act that can carry serious penalties. Through CPWs thorough investigative process we recognized that the hunter made the ethical choice to immediately report the incident and take responsibility for the accident, said Ty Petersburg, Chief of Law Enforcement and Assistant Director of Field Services for CPW in a prepared statement.

The wolf was part of the group that was transferred from Canada to Colorado in January 2025.

Watch our coverage on that release in the video player below.

Denver7 has been following Colorado's wolf reintroduction program since the very beginning, and you can explore all of that reporting in the timeline below, which starts with our most recent story.

DENVER An uncollared yearling wolf that was part of the One Ear Pack was killed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) agents on Tuesday after the agency found it was involved in multiple depredations.

CPW announced on Wednesday morning that the wolf was killed in Grand County. The decision came down after CPW officers confirmed the wolf had depredated on four calves. The first was on June 29 in Jackson County, and the three more occurred on July 26, July 31 and Aug. 1 in Grand County.

CPW said this continued even after producers used non-lethal conflict minimization techniques. That included range riders, scare devices, an active human presence and having a site assessment of their ranch to determine what tactics would work to keep wolves away from livestock.

The decision to lethally remove a wolf is a very difficult one and a number of factors must be taken into consideration, said CPW Director Laura Clellan in a press release Wednesday. Unfortunately after a thorough review, the determination of chronic depredation was made in this case. Our staff will continue to work diligently with willing producers to deploy all reasonable non-lethal tools and methods in order to minimize the need for removals.

Denver7 has been following Colorado's wolf reintroduction program since the very beginning, and you can explore all of that reporting in the timeline below, which starts with our most recent story.

This decision was made in consultation with USFWS, CPW said.

CPW said it will share a final report on this case once it is complete.

This marks the second wolf that CPW has killed due to depredation within a couple months. On June 13, Denver7 reported that CPW had located and killed a lone, uncollared wolf that they believe was responsible for 10 confirmed depredations since the summer of 2025.

The One Ear Pack is one of five packs currently in Colorado. The others include the Three Creeks Pack in Rio Blanco County, the Copper Creek Pack in Pitkin County, King Mountain Pack in Routt County and the newly formed Piney Ridge Pack in Eagle County.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is currently investigating the death of an uncollared wolf in northwest Colorado, according to a Friday release from the agency.

The cause of death and exact location of the wolf were not released Friday.

"A final determination of the cause of death will not be made until the investigation is completed, including the necropsy, a foundational component of the overall investigative process," officials said in the release.

A spokesperson for the agency said no additional details were available.

Read the full Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan

Denver7 has been following Colorado's wolf reintroduction program since the very beginning, and you can explore all of that reporting in the timeline below, which starts with our most recent story.

DENVER A new wolf pack has formed in Eagle County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirmed on Wednesday morning.

It has been named the Piney Ridge Pack.

Detection of pups in late spring or early summer is inherently challenging, because of their use of remote habitats in dense cover, secretive nature of very young animals, and time potentially underground, explained CPWs Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell.

Learn more on this new wolf pack in the video below:

So while few details are currently available about the pack, more details will be released in CPW's annual wolf report, which is published each spring, CPW said. Denver7 wrote about the 2026 Gray Wolf Annual Report here.

"Having a new wolf pack this year in Colorado is a great sign for the overall program, pack formation, and, therefore, reproduction in these early years," said Brenna Cassidy, wolf monitoring and data coordinator for CPW, in an interview with Denver7. "When I think about wolf ecology, I really concentrate on the packs because that is the unit of what's really, really important to being a wolf and to being successful."

Four of Colorado's wolf packs successfully reproduced this year, including the Piney Ridge Pack. The others are the One Ear Pack in Jackson County, the Three Creeks Pack in Rio Blanco County and the Copper Creek Pack in Pitkin County. As of Wednesday, it does not appear that the King Mountain Pack in Routt County successfully raised pups this year.

"Having four breeding packs this year and four breeding packs last year, even though we have a really small population, still is very, very encouraging," Cassidy said. "... This is a great sign for the program. This should be encouraging news on our journey towards a self-sustaining population."

Below is the latest wolf movement map released by CPW each month.

On average, wolves birth four to six pups each spring. Odell said his team is continuing to monitor the packs and will include the minimum count of the state's wolf population in the 2027 spring report. Wolf pups typically have a survival rate of roughly 50%, though that can fluctuate year over year.

"There can be low years where maybe there is a disease outbreak, and then there can be really successful years, like we had last year, where we had over 80% of the pups that we detected survived over the year," Cassidy said.

When wolves create packs which is defined as when a pair attempts to den and raise pups CPW can better determine where their staff should implement conflict minimization tools and techniques to protect livestock because those wolves are likely not dispersing as much. Those tactics include things like fladry, scare devices and range riders.

"When wolves are in packs and therefore usually are protecting a territory against other wolves, that is overlapping both public and private land, and while that can make things tough for the producers that are within that core territory, it does make those wolves a little bit more predictable," Cassidy said. "So, for a conflict team, that means that they can allocate some of those resources... Those things can be allocated to areas that have higher wolf presence that is a bit more predictable than somewhere where we don't know if wolves are going to go over here, over here, over here."

The creation of packs is also good for the animals, which tend to survive longer in a group compared to when they are solo, according to research, Cassidy said. The chances of reproduction and successful hunts also increase in packs.

We are still working from a modest amount of data in Colorado due to the relatively new nature of our wolf population as well as its small size but so far we are seeing a clear pattern of wolves in packs surviving longer than wolves that are not in packs, Cassidy said. For instance, in the last biological year (April 1, 2025 - March 30, 2026), we experienced 10 mortalities among our wolf population, seven of these were dispersers and only three were pack members. This shows us the benefit of having more packs on the Colorado landscape for both adult survival and reproduction as we work to achieve the goals of the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

According to CPW's depredation tracker which monitors instances where a wolf seriously injured or killed livestock or a working dog one calf was attacked by a wolf in Eagle County this biological year, which runs between April 2026 and March 2027. It occurred on July 16. It is not yet known if the wolf or wolves involved are members of the Piney Ridge Pack or not.

Denver7 has been following Colorado's wolf reintroduction program since the very beginning, and you can explore all of that reporting in the timeline below, which starts with our most recent story.

In Colorado, CPW is responsible for naming each of its wolf packs. Colorado currently has five. The name of the pack comes from some sort of geographic feature somewhere in their general territory.

"It doesn't mean that the den is right at that feature," Cassidy said. "It doesn't mean that the wolves spend a ton of time right at that feature, but (it is) somewhere that we know that they use and that is going to be in their territory."

Piney Ridge is a prominent feature in Eagle County, she said.

"Wolf pack territories are generally several 100 square kilometers," Cassidy explained. "So if you go looking at Piney Ridge, you're not going to see anything... If people are thinking about viewing wolves, they're often thinking about somewhere like Yellowstone. That's such a different situation than we have here. That is a very established place. That place is very well-known for viewing wolves. That's not what we have in Colorado."

Anybody who sees a wolf is asked to take photos and video, and report it using this CPW online form.

MESA COUNTY, Colo. A new fire that sparked Wednesday evening about 10 miles north of Gateway in Mesa County has burned about 84 acres, according to the incident management team.

The fire has been named the Two Track Fire, according to the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit. It is burning on Bureau of Land Management land.

Crews on the ground and in aircraft are working to get flame retardant around the fire. Large air tankers, single-engine air tankers and a Type-1 helicopter are working around the scene, the incident management team said.

The location is difficult to access.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

"As dry and windy conditions continue across the western slope, these incidents serve as an important reminder that fire can spread quickly," the incident management team said. "Please use extreme caution if you plan to spend time outdoors and follow current fire restrictions."

MONTROSE, Colo. A lawsuit filed in Jefferson County Court claims a Colorado family suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at a Western Slope hotel, and alleges there were no carbon monoxide detectors within the room where the family was staying at the time.

The attorney behind the case believes it highlights a gap in Colorado law.

This is an issue of a failed swimming pool heater. The vent rusted through, and our client's family of four were pretty badly poisoned," said Sam Cannon, the attorney on the case. They had no warning. There were no detectors in their room."

Specifically, the filing states that a family checked into the Montrose Quality Inn in March of 2025 and was assigned to Room 202, which was located above the pool mechanical room. The court documents claim there was a defective pool heater with a corroded exhaust vent, and no carbon monoxide detectors present in either the pool mechanical room or Room 202.

The next morning, the filing says the family woke up and were very ill. They decided to seek medical attention, and the documents show they were diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Then, according to the lawsuit, the Montrose Fire Department responded to the hotel and identified a "life-threatening leak." The corroded section of the exhaust pipe was so rusted that a hole nearly the size of a fist was allowing gases to exit into the room, the filing states.

During the summer of 2024, the year before the allegations, the court documents claim there were repairs made to the swimming pool, and attorneys argue the corrosion of the vent pipe should have been evident. However, the vent pipe was not fixed, according to the filing.

Cannon, who handles cases involving carbon monoxide poisoning frequently, said he struggles to clearly understand how Colorado law applies to places like hotels and motels.

"My reading of the rules is that they are likely required, potentially in the room holding the fuel-fired appliance that provides heating to the rooms, but not necessarily in every sleeping room, and not necessarily in the pool heater room. (That) is potentially a problem, because pool heaters are, in a lot of ways, more dangerous than other places, as you can tell from the history of incidents involving them," said Cannon. "If I'm sat here as someone who does a lot of this work, who's experienced in these cases, and I can't tell you exactly what the law is, it's pretty tough to expect hotel guests to be aware as well.

Cannon now carries a carbon monoxide detector when he travels, and recommends it for others who want to protect themselves against potentially faulty devices.

Denver7 reached out to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for clarification on how state law applies to hotels when it comes to carbon monoxide detectors. A spokesperson said they were looking into it and Denver7 will update this web article with those answers once they are available.

The lawsuit cites data from the Jenkins Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that tracks carbon monoxide incidents across the country. The group has recorded 38 such instances at Choice Hotels different brands between 1990 and 2022.

Denver7 reached out to both defendants named in the lawsuit.

Kazi Hossain, the owner of Shakfi Hospitality LLC, spoke with Denver7 over the phone. At first, he said he should not comment until the case is resolved, but then continued to say that it is a matter of insurance and he has full coverage.

Hossain added that he believes the carbon monoxide detectors were not mandatory, because when the building was originally constructed there was no code that would have required it.

Choice Hotels International did not respond to our request for comment by the time of publication.

Denver7 is not identifying the family involved in the lawsuit since two of the victims are minors.

MESA COUNTY, Colo. Two people walked away from a small plane crash in a remote area south of Grand Junction on Friday afternoon.

Around 4:40 p.m. Friday, deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a downed small aircraft in a remote area south and east of Highway 141, between Whitewater and Gateway, the sheriff's office said. This is roughly 20 miles south of Grand Junction.

The map below shows Highway 141 between the two towns.

As of 7 p.m., deputies were still making their way on foot to the area, however the pilot reported that they, along with a passenger, had both walked away from the crash. They were transported by CareFlight of the Rockies to an area hospital, the sheriff's office said.

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are in charge of the investigation.

No other details are available as of 8:30 p.m. Friday.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.  Mesa County authorities are investigating a death after human remains found on the Grand Mesa were determined to have been consumed by a bear and likely other wildlife.

The remains were found last week, scavenged by wildlife and scattered around the Wild Rose Picnic Area off of Lands End Road in Mesa County, according to a Thursday Facebook post from the Mesa County Sheriffs Office.

The cause and manner of death remain undetermined at this time, the sheriffs office said. The Mesa County Coroners Office will identify the deceased at a later time.

Investigators are asking witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of the Wild Rose Campground between June 22 and July 5 to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at 970-244-3274.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said there is no known threat to public safety and reminded visitors that black bears are common in the area, urging campers and outdoor enthusiasts to practice bear-safe habits to prevent conflicts.

Being bear-prepared while camping and recreating in Colorado is the most effective way to prevent human-caused conflicts with bears.

CPW offers these six Outdoor BearWise Basics:

OURAY COUNTY, Colo. Most of the time, Scott Stearns is responsible for forecasting large storms as they move across the United States. But for the past week, he has significantly narrowed down his focus to one region, one state, one county, one incident.

The Gold Mountain Fire.

WATCH: Denver7's Stephanie Butzer spoke with Scott Stearns with NWS about the unique and important role of being an incident meteorologist at a wildfire.

Stearns works for the National Weather Service's (NWS) Storm Prediction Center and after the Gold Mountain Fire sparked just north of Ouray on June 27, he was assigned the role of incident meteorologist for the blaze.

That means he is responsible for specific forecasting of everything within the perimeter of the 31,000-acre Gold Mountain Fire, as well as the surrounding areas. Like fire managers, he is focused on the safety of firefighters and the general public as the blaze continues to grow and evacuations remain in place.

Incident meteorologists are typically called to a wildfire after an incident management team takes control. Once that team is in place, it's not unusual for them to request a meteorologist from the NWS, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Stearns explained.

A standard shift lasts about two weeks.

There are about 100 of these incident meteorologists within the NWS, including nine currently in Colorado:

Stearns, from Boise, arrived at the incident command post at the Ouray County Fairgrounds on June 30. Since then, he has briefed fire personnel multiple times each day on expected conditions.

"Make sure they're making the best decisions with the best weather information available," he said.

That process starts around 5 a.m. each day, when Stearns checks the previous day's forecasting models for that morning to ensure they are still accurate. He then reviews what happened overnight, humidity levels and chances of precipitation. An hour later, he attends the Gold Mountain Fire's operational crew briefing.

"That's when all the firefighters and their leadership are together at one meeting, and we go through the different elements of concern," he said. "Obviously, weather is one of those primary driving factors. So we're one of the first people that typically speak to those firefighters in the morning."

On Tuesday, he said he shared the latest on potential thunderstorms in the afternoon, which may linger on Wednesday too. While the rain is welcome, the accompanying wind and lightning can create hazardous conditions for firefighters.

"There's specialized software that we can use to, for example, fit anticipated winds to terrain," he explained. "It's very complex terrain down here on the north side of the San Juan Mountains. So, we have specialized computer models that aren't used by regular forecasters at the weather forecast offices very often on a day-to-day basis. They help us figure out exactly what the wind is going to do in a particular drainage or on one aspect of a canyon, different elevations across the fire area that kind of level detail."

He is part of meetings throughout the day to keep fire managers informed on the latest weather developments, while also forecasting what's to come that afternoon, that evening, overnight and beyond.

"So, it's fairly busy," Stearns said.

But it's fulfilling work.

"I think almost every incident meteorologist that I've known has told me that this was the most rewarding part of their career," he said. "Oftentimes, they will say it is because of the immediate feedback."

That's not always the case when he forecasts for large, multi-state regions.

"It's not very often that we have that direct one-to-one contact with the folks that we are serving. And so that I think is what makes it most rewarding," he explained. "We're actually making a difference."

PALISADE, Colo. Tucked just off the tasting room at Colterris Collections in Palisade, sits a museum most people don't know exists and those who find it rarely leave without wanting to come back.

Scott and Theresa High farm 200 acres along the Colorado River, harvesting peaches from their 32,000 trees. But it's their vineyards that keep growing and it's Scott's museum that keeps surprising visitors.

"I don't think it's been discovered," Scott said.

But when people do find it, the reaction is hard to miss.

"It's amazing," a visitor said.

"That's one of my favorite words," Scott said.

At the center of the museum is a collection of more than 5,000 corkscrews wine openers Scott began collecting at age 16.

"This is our start. This is the first corkscrew," Scott said, pointing to the one he bought in 1971. "To have 5,000 corkscrews on display is kind of a nice accomplishment."

The reaction from first-time visitors has become a pattern.

Watch Mike Castellucci's report in the player below:

"Locals are finding out about it. Two ladies were flabbergasted. At the beginning they said, 'We have to bring our husbands,' and at the end, they said, 'We've got to bring our husbands,'" Scott said.

Scott's passion for wine history started long before the museum. At 12 years old, he would ride his 10-speed bicycle to the Denver Public Library to check out books on wine all to impress his father.

"At one point the librarian called my mom and asked her if it was OK that I check out books on wine, cause I was that young, and she said, 'Certainly,'" Scott said.

Scott's father died unexpectedly when Scott was 24.

"I don't think we had enough memories or enough time to share together so that he appreciated my passion for what he instilled in me, and that's an unfortunate thing for me," he said.

The collection reflects decades of dedicated searching. The museum holds all seven programs from seven wine festivals held in France in the 1930s a set that took years to complete.

"It took me 40 years to find this last one," Scott said.

Among the artifacts is a silver wine tasting cup presented to Napoleon during his 100 days of reign. A wine list signed by Mickey Mantle from his New York restaurant prompted Scott to seek out another signature a baseball signed by John Elway.

"The story about Elway and Mickey Mantle is they had their entire careers in the outfield for the Yankees. Mickey was there 14 years and John was there 42 games," Scott said.

For Theresa, the division of their shared enterprise is simple.

"I got the vineyard, Scott got his museum," Theresa said.

The museum is located just off the tasting room at Colterris Collections in Palisade.

With wildfires burning across many Western states, wildland firefighters gathered Sunday to pay tribute to three of their own who died after they were trapped by flames a week ago.

Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson were remembered as courageous public servants who left a lasting impact on the communities where they worked.

Hear more about each of the three victims in the video below from the Associated Press.

They showed up to make order out of chaos day after day with purpose, dedication and heart, U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said during a memorial service in Grand Junction, Colorado, near where the firefighters died while battling flames on the Colorado-Utah border.

While that fire is now almost entirely contained, nearly 40 large fires are still going strong across the West. Most of the current fires are scattered around Colorado, Utah and New Mexico while there are wildfires in eight other states from Alaska to Arizona.

Over the holiday weekend, more evacuations in Colorado were ordered across four counties where the Aspen Acres fire had burned about 136 square miles (352 square kilometers) south of Colorado Springs.

The fire had damaged or destroyed more than 200 structures as of Sunday, authorities said. National Guard soldiers were sent in Friday to help with staffing checkpoints on roads near the fire zone.

Months of dry weather and a record lack of snow this past winter in some places along with erratic winds have been fueling the fires.

The three firefighters killed on June 27 in western Colorado were members of a Helitack crew that sometimes drops into remote areas by helicopters.

Barker, Hutcherson and Watson and two others who sustained burn injuries were overcome by flames from fast-moving fires in Mesa County. They had deployed emergency protective shelters, which are considered a last resort for firefighters when there is no other way out.

Fennessy, the Wildland Fire Service chief, said Sunday that the weight of this tragedy is felt way beyond our wildland fire community.

Photos of the firefighters were set up on the stage at the memorial service alongside flowers and flags.

They worked jobs that require courage, selflessness, strength and heart, said Sarah Fisher, the U.S. Forest Service's deputy chief for fire and aviation management.

The work demands long days, heavy burdens and quiet acts of bravery, she said. We will remember them, we will honor their legacy and we will carry their light forward.

Barker, 38, had so much spirit, and the people around her always strived to be a better person by her presence, said Sarah Brubeck Schnurbusch, a friend and former roommate.

Barker was from Clinton Township, Michigan, and liked hiking, skiing, dirt biking and playing hockey. She loved firefighting.

Ive never seen someone so excited to go to work, Brubeck Schnurbusch said. She added that her friend helped pave the way for many women in the industry.

Barker was a trailblazer, first working as a teacher shaping young lives, Fennessy said.

She didn't just live in wild places, she helped to shape them, care for them and make them better, he said.

Hutcherson, 27, served in the U.S. Navy and had plans to become a physical therapy doctor, according to the Kaibab National Forest in northern Arizona where he was assigned. He was also an active member of the Northern Arizona Deaf and American Sign Language community.

Hutcherson, who was from Glendale, Arizona, embodied the spirit of public service Fennessy said.

He was a dedicated practitioner of Muay Thai martial arts who trained in Flagstaff.

His favorite saying was easy day, Fennessy said, because Nick had an uncommon ability to face hard things with optimism, humility and a smile.

Watson, 27, was from Warrior, Alabama, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee Southern, where she was a pitcher on the softball team, the university said.

In 2023, she participated in a program in North Carolina organized by the Women-in-Fire Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges, the group said. In her application, she said she wanted to see more women on the fire line and to learn from other women in the field, the university said.

From the time she was very young, she knew she wanted to be a firefighter someday, Fennessy said.

I have no doubt she inspired many young women to become a firefighter, he said.

On many bachelor and bachelorette parties, the late nights might be hard to remember. But for two wedding parties evacuated from the Colorado River, the late night will be impossible to forget.

Cole Griffin likes type two fun uncomfortable or challenging in the moment, but rewarding after the fact. So when his childhood friend said he wanted a bachelor party that involved being outdoors and maybe a relaxing float down a river in inner tubes, Griffin suggested pack rafting.

I assured everyone that this would be 'type one' fun and a casual thing to do, the Denver resident said. And then it wasn't.

Griffins group was among the more than 120 people who were rescued from the Ruby-Horsethief Canyon area over June 27 weekend as the Snyder Fire approached. Mesa County Search and Rescue has said the 11-hour operation was among their largest and most complex in recent memory.

WATCH: Bachelorette, bachelor party-goers share their evacuation experience

Griffin's group wasnt the only prenuptial celebration on the river that weekend.

Sidney Burleson, who lives in Salt Lake City and is getting married in September, was on her bachelorette party with a group of 16 women some of whom met through the Virginia Tech whitewater club.

We've all been going on river trips and boating together for more than 10 years now, Burleson said. "A lot of the guys in our friend group have gotten married and gone on river trip bachelor parties, so since it was my turn, I was like, we're doing a ladies river trip.

The trip began with blue skies and high vibes

Friday was a perfect day, like amazing weather, didn't have to really paddle that hard to get downstream, just a chill party day on the river, Burleson said.

Then things took a turn.

Saturday morning we woke up, and there was some smoke in the air, and things only started getting progressively worse from there, she said.

The wind became strong enough to blow the rafts upstream, making continuing down the river a constant battle.

It was way more of a workout than any of us bargained for, Griffin said. My main workout was going to be my elbow and the beer to my mouth, and I think we all only had, like, a couple drinks, and that was it.

That evening, search and rescue crews and sheriff's deputies approached in jet boats to tell groups they were beginning evacuations.

Those evacs would be a bit unorthodox, with Union Pacific Railroad stepping in to provide one-directional, hi-rail trucks that can drive on train tracks to take campers and rafters to safety.

For Annie Francl, who was on Burlesons bachelorette, the news that they would have to leave the river came as a bit of a shock.

I was having to just take a moment to, like, trust the authority figures who were telling us that it was time to evacuate and come to terms with it, like, we were gonna have to abandon stuff, and go on a train at 2 a.m., she said.

But the groups gathered their things and made their way out.

Our group had a really fun energy, even though it was this serious situation, Francl said. We definitely were still on a bachelorette trip, and we were gonna have fun no matter what.

Riding in the back of the rail truck was like a "ride at Disneyland," she said, and the upbeat energy was complete with a singing of "County Roads" atop the train tracks.

After they got off the rail truck, there was a welcome surprise waiting for them.

"They had Taco Bell and water waiting at the buses that would take us to our cars," Burleson said.

While those 120 people  plus six dogs and a cat  evacuated from the river corridor all made it to safety, the fire turned out to be far more serious than either of the groups had realized at the time.

Mesa County Search and Rescue officials said the blaze reached the river corridor that night, and three firefighters lost their lives during a burnover event the same weekend.

 "We, of course, are really sad to hear about the firefighters who lost their lives, but at the time, we didn't know anyone was in danger... it just was sort of like, oh, it's crazy this is happening," Francl said.

Just under a week later, the fire had burned more than 30,000 acres and was 65% contained.

"If there wasn't that search and rescue operation, that would have been a lot more harrowing," Griffin said. "So we never felt like we were in immediate danger, because we were taking preventative steps to get out of the path of the fire."

Griffin, Burleson and Francl credited everyone involved in the rescue operation for working to make the evacuation run smoothly.

 "I was really impressed how organized it was," Burleson said. "Mesa County Search and Rescue and Union Pacific did such a good job getting everyone out there safely."

For Burleson, the experience left her with an even deeper gratitude for her friends ahead of her wedding day.

Even though it was a pretty hard day of rafting, followed by a chaotic night, everyone handled it amazingly, and I love my friends for it, she said.

The Aspen Acres Fire, the state's largest so far this season, was estimated to have burned more than 86,000 acres by Sunday morning, but firefighters gained some ground as containment increased to 13%.

The fire, burning southwest of Pueblo in both Pueblo and Custer counties, has destroyed more than 180 structures.

On Sunday, a damage assessment team assessed almost all the homes along Highway 165 from Highway 96 south to Lake Isabel. Those results will be released at a later time.

Meanwhile, new evacuations were announced Sunday for the 3,000-acre Willow Fire, burning southwest of Turquoise Lake and west of the City of Leadville.

Residents on or in the area of CR 11, CR 11A, and Lake Fork Trailer Park are being ordered to leave immediately as the 0% contained fire threatens to move into the area.

Denver7 is covering this wildfire, as well as the others that continue to burn around Colorado's mountains and Western Slope.

We covered these wildfires in-depth each day this week: Here are our stories from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Below are the latest details on each of the wildfires as of Saturday.

The Aspen Acres Fire, burning in Custer and Pueblo counties about 15 miles northwest of Colorado City, is the largest wildfire currently burning in Colorado, with approximately 800 personnel fighting the blaze.

The fire that has destroyed more than 180 structures grew to more than 86,000 acres by Sunday morning. But containment grew to 13% from no containment just a day earlier.

On Sunday, a damage assessment team assessed almost all the homes along Highway 165 from Highway 96 south to Lake Isabel. Those results will be released at a later time.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES |Evacuations are in place across Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, and Huerfano counties. Call the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 719-583-4640 for information about closures, evacuations and disaster assistance. View an interactive map here.

Custer County sheriff provided this interactive map of evacuation areas Saturday.

An evacuation center, disaster assistance center and livestock evacuation center are set up. Here's a breakdown of what each can provide.

Highway 165, Highway 78, and Highway 96 are closed in this area. Highway 78 is closed between Highway 165 and Rock Creek Road, and Highway 67 is closed between Wetmore and milepoint 3.

The historic Horseshoe Lodge in Pueblo Mountain Park sustained significant damage, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said.

FRIDAY UPDATES | The Aspen Acres Fire is estimated to have burned through about 81,850 acres by Friday night. Strong overnight winds pushed it to make an eight-mile run to the south, a four- to five-mile run to the north and a one-mile run to the west, according to the incident management team.

Structure protection crews are ahead of the fire to prepare homes as the fire continues to advance.

During an update on Friday morning, Operations Section Chief Brad Washa said the weather is the main factor driving this fire's growth. The southeast section of the fire made a major push overnight, he said. The top priority is this area and the rest of the southern edge, with the second priority being the northern section of the fire.

National Guard soldiers are expected to arrive on Friday many will replace deputies that have been staffing checkpoints of closed roads across Custer and Pueblo counties. The National Guard reinforcements will allow the sheriff's deputies to increase patrols of evacuated areas, according to fire officials.

A red flag warning is in effect with hotter temperatures and southwesterly winds between 5 to 15 mph, gusts around 25 mph in the valleys and 35 mph gusts on the ridges. Humidity remains in the single digits.

Denver7 reached out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Friday to learn more about what ADX Florence, a supermax prison, would do if they must evacuate due to this fire, which is about 10 miles away as of the most recent mapping. A spokesperson provided the below statement:

SUMMARY OF FIRE HISTORY | The Aspen Acres Fire had "significant activity" Wednesday afternoon and spread farther west into forests and east toward Siloam Road. The southeast part of the fire saw "extreme fire behavior," according to the incident command team. Several large and very large airtankers flew over the fire on Wednesday.

More firefighters arrived Thursday ahead of another day of extreme fire behavior. Many of them worked in Beulah to mop up burned areas, put out hotspots and strengthen defenses. Two multi-engine water-scooping aircraft dropped water along the southern edge of the fire, where the fire is moving toward Rye and Colorado City.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis visited Pueblo County on Thursday to meet with Coloradans impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire and thank first responders and volunteers.

He verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on June 29. Later that day, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for this fire.

The Ferris Fire began burning in far northern Montezuma County before making a massive run north into Dolores County. Crews have 9% containment on the fire as of Saturday, a slight decrease from Friday as the fire saw significant growth on the western side of the fire, prompting new evacuations, according to incident team updates.

In a Saturday morning update, the incident management team said the fire had crossed the Dolores River and climbed to the west rim. Around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the incident team said the fire had moved onto private land, prompting "set status" for a new area.

"Extremely active fire behavior is expected again today," officials said in the Saturday update. "Heavy helicopters, scooper planes and air tankers will continue to assist ground resources and protect private lands and infrastructure."

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES | Evacuations have been in place since last Saturday for this wildfire. Several new ones have were added Friday and Saturday on the west side of the fire. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit this page.

Anybody who evacuated is welcome to come to the Pleasant View Fire Station at 15235 Road CC.

To learn about properties affected by this fire, call the Joint Information Center at 719-583-4640.

FRIDAY UPDATES | The "super scooper" planes out of Alaska will began pulling water from McPhee Reservoir on Friday to dump on the Ferris Fire. Large air tankers and single-engine airtankers will also help from the skies.

The fire was expected to reach the Dolores River to the west on Thursday, but has not yet done so as of Friday morning, according to the incident management team.

Operations Section Chief Toby Cook said during an update just before 2 p.m. that more containment was added along the southern end of the fire. Firefighters are doing proactive work along the north and southeast sides.

SUMMARY OF FIRE HISTORY | The Ferris Fire began burning near Narraguinnep Canyon, about 15 miles northwest of Dolores, on June 27. The nearby Doe Canyon Fire and Far Draw Fire merged with the Ferris Fire, so the blaze is now being managed as the Ferris Fire.

Crews have been prioritizing the northeast corner of the fire, which is closest to private land, according to the official Ferris Fire Facebook page.

On Wednesday, the fire backed down Doe Canyon and other nearby canyons leading to the Dolores River

A hotshot crew joined the effort on Thursday along the fire's northeast corner near Benchmark Lookout. Firefighters are already constructing fireline here to stop the fire's spread toward the Glade Ranch subdivision, which has already been evacuated. Operations Section Chief Toby Cook said in an update at 3:30 p.m. Thursday that crews made good progress along the northern edges of the fire. Firefighters are ready to begin containment in that area, he said. Containment lines were also put in along the southern part of the fire, Cook said.

Multiple aircraft worked around the blaze Thursday, including three heavy and one light helicopter, large air tankers and single-engine airtankers. Two "super scooper" aircraft from Alaska began traveling to Colorado on Thursday.

Dolores Volunteer Fire & Rescue has responded to this fire and is accepting donations.

Stage 2 fire restrictions went into place for the San Juan National Forest on Wednesday, prohibiting all campfires.

The Gold Mountain Fire burning in Ouray County continues to inch its way farther north and northeast toward the far southwest corner of Gunnison County, which has issued an evacuation warning.

On top of already-dangerous conditions, firefighters have faced the challenge of steep terrain around this wildfire. The fire remained active Thursday and Friday night, mainly on the east side, according to the incident team.

"Heat and low humidity are promoting favorable conditions for active fire growth," the incident management team wrote in a Saturday update.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES | Evacuations have been in place since Sunday. Click here for an interactive map of all current evacuations. An evacuation center has been set up at the Ridgway Secondary School, located at 1200 Green St. in Ridgway.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has closed public access to the Cimarron State Wildlife Area in Montrose County due to this fire. Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests have issued closure orders for the Gold Mountain Wildfire Area.

Highway 550 remained closed Saturday.

FRIDAY UPDATES | While the fire was active on Thursday, it did not make the northward push that fire officials had predicted, the incident management team reported on Friday morning.

Fire activity has increased along the western flank in the Cutler Creek and Baldy Peak area above US 550, and various aircraft were used to slow the spread here.

Crews are doing proactive work ahead of the story to the northwest, Operations Section Chief Jeramy Dietz said Friday morning.

A red flag warning is in effect from noon to 8 p.m.

SUMMARY OF FIRE HISTORY | Ouray County declared a state of emergency on Sunday, June 28 for this fire, which originated on U.S. Forest Service land two miles northeast of the City of Ouray.

The fire pushed east across the Cow Creek drainage and up Stealey Mountain on Tuesday, as it also made a run northeast toward Owl Creek Pass, according to an incident management team.

US 550 north of Ouray was closed for some time, but reopened on Wednesday at 1 p.m. However, drivers should be prepared for emergency road enclosures at any time. Stopping or standing on the highway in this area is not permitted. As of Friday morning, crews have been able to keep the fire away from values at risk along US 550.

The Ouray Volunteer Fire Department is responding to this fire and is accepting donations here. The Ouray County's emergency response team reports there is an immediate need for drinks, including bottled water, sodas, sports drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. Here's how to help.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the Gold Mountain Fire on Sunday.

New evacuations in the 3,000-acre Willow Fire, burning southwest of Turquoise Lake and west of the City of Leadville, were announced Sunday. Residents on or in the area of CR 11, CR 11A, and Lake Fork Trailer Park are being ordered to leave immediately as the 0% contained fire threatens to move into the area.

Leadville proper remains under an evacuation warning. New evacuations were ordered for the area south of the fire Friday evening, and 178 homes were put under pre-evacuations, according to a Saturday morning update.

New pre-evacuations were issued Saturday for the area southeast of the lake "out of an abundance of caution."

Fire officials said "a full suppression strategy remains underway" for this fire. No structures have been lost and nobody has been injured in this fire.

Fire officials said Friday that they have dealt with some spot fires a quarter mile and half mile outside the main blaze.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES | An interactive map of current evacuations is here.

An evacuation center is located at the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus.

Half Moon Road and its camping areas are also closed as a precaution ahead of the holiday weekend.

Multiple roads are closed in the area for first responders, including Turquoise Lake Road, Highway 300 at County Road 5 and County 5A (Fish Hatchery Loop), County Road 9 and County Road 99 intersection (Leadville Junction), and County Road 4 and County Road 48 (Turquoise Lake Dam entrance).

FRIDAY UPDATES | Firefighters will conduct fire operations in the Twin Mounds area to limit damage to power lines, as the fire keeps moving downhill toward Turquoise Lake.

"Fire behavior analysts expect increased activity along the eastern flanks of the fire due to wind forecasts and sustained 20 mile-per-hour winds will likely exacerbate fire movement along ridge lines," according to the incident management team.

A group of firefighters is prepared to attack any flames that may land on the northern side of the lake.

Firefighters began establishing containment lines in the area of Forest Road 105, 105A and a nearby ridge on Thursday, according to the incident management team. This will likely take about five days to complete, so the effort will continue Friday.

A red flag warning is in effect until midnight Friday.

SUMMARY OF FIRE HISTORY | On Sunday afternoon, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management announced evacuations for the Willow Fire, which is burning on U.S. Forest Service land south of Turquoise Lake and west of the City of Leadville. It is about two miles northwest of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery.

Denver7 reached out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday to hear how hatchery staff is protecting the fish in its care. Their full statement is below:

Firefighters worked to connect potential containment lines around the northwest side of the fire on Thursday as they continued to strengthen structure protection around Turquoise Lake, according to the incident management team.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on Monday morning. Sign up for emergency alerts here.

Growth at the Snyder Fire on the Colorado-Utah line has been minimal, despite critical fire conditions this week. Firefighters were able to increase containment to 95% by Friday evening, and most of this containment is along the eastern, northern and southwestern edges.

"The fire maintained its footprint through recent critical fire weather, a key factor in reaching 95% containment," the incident management team wrote in a Saturday update.

Three firefighters died fighting this fire during a burnover incident on June 27. They have been identified as Emily Barker, 38, Nick Hutcherson, 27, and Sydney Watson, 27.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES | No evacuations are in place.

Road closures remain on A 2/10 Road at DS Road in Glade Park and BS Road at 11 5/10 Road in Glade Park, according to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office.

Emergency closures are in place along the Colorado River downstream of Fruita until the Utah state line. An operations section chief said Tuesday that they had to rescue almost 120 people over the weekend from the area. Anybody floating the Colorado River must end their trip at the Fruita boat ramp, as there are no river takeout points between Fruita and the Utah state line, officials said.

This closure is expected to last through the Fourth of July weekend.

FRIDAY UPDATES | Smoke from other fires is impacting the Grand Valley region, but this fire is not expected to grow significantly on Friday.

"Relatively cooler fuel temperatures and lighter wind are anticipated to help keep the fire in its current footprint," the incident management team reported Friday.

SUMMARY OF FIRE HISTORY | Firefighters were able to gain some containment at the Snyder Fire burning in Mesa County on the Utah-Colorado line on Tuesday evening as activity was "relatively low," according to the incident management team.

That containment increased to nearly 50% on Wednesday evening. More resources arrived Thursday to help on the southeastern side of the Snyder Fire.

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported that lightning started this fire.

Gov. Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to this fire on Saturday, June 27.

The Big Sheep Fire, also called Sheep Head Fire, in Huerfano County increased its burn footprint slightly but containment rose to 65% Friday evening and held Saturday.

It is burning west of Big Sheep Mountain and north of La Veta Pass in Huerfano County. It started on Monday. The fire has been wind- and terrain-driven, fire officials said.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES | The Huerfano County Sheriff's Office said Monday evening that the area "between the fire and Highway 69 and to Farisita" is under a pre-evacuation notice as a precaution. These orders remain in place Thursday.

FRIDAY UPDATES | Aircraft will help extend containment lines in areas where crews on the ground cannot reach, the incident management team reported.

Red flag conditions are expected until midnight Friday.

SUMMARY OF FIRE HISTORY | The Big Sheep Fire is burning west of Big Sheep Mountain and north of La Veta Pass in Huerfano County.

It started on Monday. Evacuations were briefly ordered on June 29 before they were downgraded to pre-evacuation status.

A Colorado State Incident Management Team took over operations Thursday.

Click here to sign up for alerts for this fire.

Winds are expected to weaken slightly on Wednesday, though elevated and critical fire weather will persist across Colorado as multiple large wildfires continue to burn.

A red flag warning will once again impact much of the Western Slope and southern Colorado through Wednesday evening. Fire weather watches are also in effect through Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) out of Grand Junction. Rain is unlikely this week.

Incident commanders at several of these fires said Tuesday that more resources are coming in, particularly assistance from out of state.

Denver7 has covered these wildfires in-depth each day this week. Here are our stories from Monday and Tuesday.

Watch the 5 p.m. update on the fires

Below are the latest details on each of the wildfires currently burning in Colorado.

Firefighters were able to gain some containment at the Snyder Fire burning in Mesa County on the Utah-Colorado line on Tuesday evening as activity was "relatively low," according to the incident management team.

"Little to no fire growth has been observed along the eastern edge of the fire in areas of rugged terrain with sparse fuels following several days of red flag conditions," the incident management team wrote in a 7 p.m. update.

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported that lightning started this fire.

All pre-evacuations in response to the fire were lifted at 7 p.m. Road closures remain in place on A 2/10 Road at DS Road in Glade Park and BS Road at 11 5/10 Road in Glade Park, according to the Mesa County sheriff.

"Smoke from fires to the west have shaded out the Snyder Fire. When heavy smoke occurs over a fire area, it can diminish fire intensity by cooling temperatures and lessening wind gusts," the incident command management team said. "While there are scattered hot spots and some smoke production, fire activity on the Snyder Fire has decreased due to the lower wind speeds and the fire burning into rocky areas with little to no vegetation."

Pre-evacuations were in place for the same area since June 28. It included south of the Colorado River to BS Road (in the Glade Park area) and west of the Kingsview subdivision off Highway 340. There were no mandatory evacuations.

A map of this area is below.

Three firefighters died fighting this fire during a burnover incident on Saturday. They have been identified as Emily Barker, 38, Nick Hutcherson, 27, and Sydney Watson, 27.

A community meeting is planned at the Glade Park Community Center on Thursday at 6 p.m. This will be livestreamed on the Snyder Fire 2026 Facebook page.

Emergency closures are in place along the Colorado River downstream of Fruita until the Utah state line. An operations section chief said Tuesday that they had to rescue almost 120 people over the weekend from the area. Anybody floating the Colorado River must end their trip at the Fruita boat ramp, as there are no river takeout points between Fruita and the Utah state line, officials said.

This closure is expected to last through the Fourth of July weekend.

Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell stressed during a press conference on Monday that "this is not the time to start human-caused fire" as the Fourth approaches.

"We're going to have natural fires we can't have human-caused fires," he said. "So, save your fireworks."

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to this fire on Saturday, June 27.

Ouray County declared a state of emergency on Sunday, June 28 for the Gold Mountain Fire, which originated on U.S. Forest Service land two miles northeast of the City of Ouray. The wind-driven fire is burning in extremely steep and rugged terrain.

Fire crews are working to keep the flames from spreading closer to Ouray, the Lake Lenore area and US 550.

A red flag warning is in effect for this area on Wednesday. Winds will stay slightly weaker than previous days, but moderate to extreme fire behavior is still expected, according to an incident management team.

Evacuations have been in place since Sunday, with the last two added Tuesday:

A pre-evacuation notice is in place from Whispering Pines to Black Lake neighborhood along County Road 17, according to the county. Gunnison County is also reporting a pre-evacuation notice for the area just north of Hampton Lake and Fish Creek Reservoir in the southwest part of the county. Click here for an interactive map of all current evacuations.

An evacuation center has been set up at the Ridgway Secondary School, located at 1200 Green St. in Ridgway.

On Tuesday, the fire was pushed east across the Cow Creek drainage, up Stealey Mountain, and northeast toward Owl Creek Pass, according to an incident management team. On Wednesday, crews will work to reinforce fireline on the south side of the fire to prevent it from moving toward Ouray. Steep terrain is limiting firefighters' abilities to reach the fire's edge on the west side.

More resources are coming to help on the north end of the fire, said Tyler Nathe, operations section chief with Rocky Mountain Team 3 at a community meeting on Monday evening.

At that same meeting, Scott Stearns, NWS meteorologist, said winds will decrease on Wednesday, with gusts only reaching 20 mph. Tuesday's wind reached 30-35 mph, he said. The forecast looks more favorable next week, but rain is still unlikely.

Previously, a two-mile stretch of Highway 550 was closed north of Ouray due to this fire, but on Wednesday, the Colorado Department of Transportation announced that the highway between Ouray and Ridgway had reopened to through-traffic at 1 p.m. However, drivers should be prepared for emergency road enclosures at any time. Stopping or standing on the highway in this area is not permitted.

The Ouray Volunteer Fire Department is responding to this fire and is accepting donations here. The Ouray County's emergency response team reports there is an immediate need for drinks, including bottled water, sodas, sports drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. Here's how to help.

The City of Ouray announced Wednesday that its July 4 celebrations have been modified the water fights have been canceled. The fireworks display was canceled on Friday. Other events are scheduled to continue. Click here for details.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the Gold Mountain Fire on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management announced evacuations for the Willow Fire, which is burning on U.S. Forest Service land south of Turquoise Lake and west of the City of Leadville.

It is about two miles northwest of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery.

A community meeting is planned for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Lake County High School Auditorium, located at 1000 W. Fourth St. in Leadville.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for the following locations:

Pre-evacuation orders apply to homes in the Grand West area, Mountain View East and West, Turquoise Lake Estates, Silver Hills Subdivision, and homes on County Roads 9, 17, and 4. Another pre-evacuation zone was added for northeast Leadville. About 400 homes are impacted by the pre-evacuation notices, the sheriff said Wednesday morning. A map of current evacuations is here.

An evacuation center is located at the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus.

WATCH

Multiple roads are closed in the area for first responders, including Turquoise Lake Road, Highway 300 at County Road 5 and County 5A (Fish Hatchery Loop), County Road 9 and County Road 99 intersection (Leadville Junction), and County Road 4 and County Road 48 (Turquoise Lake Dam entrance).

In an operational update posted online at 10 a.m. Wednesday, officials said they were able to install hose and portable water tanks to protect values at risk. Firefighters will build on this progress Wednesday, which will include constructing handline near the Leadville National Fish Hatchery and Turquoise Lake.

Denver7 reached out the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday to hear how hatchery staff is protecting the fish in its care. Their full statement is below:

Fire officials said they hope to have firefighting aircraft over the fire on Wednesday.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on Monday morning. Sign up for emergency alerts here.

Several agencies are working around the Aspen Acres Fire burning in Custer and Pueblo counties, about 15 miles northwest of Colorado City, as more evacuations were ordered on Wednesday.

The number of destroyed structures continues to rise, said Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Pueblo County has lost an estimated 125 structures. Custer County has lost an estimated 55 structures, which they said were mostly residential homes.

Denver7's Veronica Acosta spoke with a couple who lost their home in the fire

Fire crews are currently conducting damage assessments in the area and they will alert impacted homeowners once this is complete. The historic Horseshoe Lodge in Pueblo Mountain Park sustained significant damage, Sheriff Lucero said.

The fire is about seven miles from the Town of Wetmore, which has been evacuated.

As of the last mapping available at 5 p.m. Wednesday, the fire has Beulah almost completely surrounded. That town has also been evacuated.

The following areas remain under an evacuation order, as of Wednesday evening:

Highway 96 is closed from McKenzie Junction to Pueblo, the Custer County Sheriff's Office said.

Incident Commander Philip Daniels explained that it will be several days before evacuees are allowed back to their homes.

An evacuation center is set up at the Pueblo County Recreation Center, located at 1650 Cooper Place. Pets are permitted. The center is in need of items for pets, including blankets, towels and wet cat food. An evacuation site for large animals is open at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Rescue trucks are available to help call 719-251-0245 for assistance. Donations of buckets and headlamps are welcome. In addition, a Disaster Assistance Center is set up at the Pueblo Academy of Arts, located at 29 Lehigh Avenue in Pueblo, starting at 1 p.m.

The Red Cross has also opened an evacuation center at Pathfinder Park Event Center, 6655 Colorado State Highway 115, Florence. Food, water, medical care and mental health services are all available at the center. Pets are welcome, and all assistance is free. Evacuation shelters are also available at Lange Hall, 3rd Street, Westcliffe (small animals accepted) and Pueblo County Recreation Center, 1650 Cooper Place (small animals accepted), according to the Custer County sheriff's office.

Highway 165 is closed from Highway 78 to the Pueblo County line at Lake Isabel.

One firefighter was injured in Custer County on Monday, the sheriff's office said.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on Monday morning. Later that evening, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for this fire.

The Ferris Fire began burning near Narraguinnep Canyon, about 15 miles northwest of Dolores, on June 27. The nearby Doe Canyon Fire and Far Draw Fire merged with the Ferris Fire, so the blaze is now being managed as the Ferris Fire. The suspected cause of the fire is lightning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Crews on Wednesday are prioritizing the northeast corner of the fire, which is closest to private land, according to the official Ferris Fire Facebook page.

Stage 2 fire restrictions went into place for the San Juan National Forest on Wednesday, meaning all campfires are prohibited.

Fire officials said a fire line was constructed on the east side of the Ferris Fire on Monday, including a containment line to protect the Glade Ranch subdivision.

The Lone Dome Road, Bradfield Campground, the campground down Highway 504 to the McPhee Dam and Glade Ranch subdivision have been under evacuation orders since Monday. Anybody who evacuated is welcome to come to the Pleasant View Fire Station at 15235 Road CC.

As of around 10 p.m. Wednesday, the area's Zone 8  from Dolores River Canyon to Road 15 and from Road P on the south to Road H.6 on the north  was on "set" status.

"The Ferris Fire is expected to reach the Dolores River Canyon tonight as it backs down Doe Canyon," the incident team wrote in a Facebook post.

A map of the zone is shown below.

"SET means theres a wildfire in the area, and conditions could change quickly. Its time to be alert, stay informed, and be ready to leave at a moments notice," Dolores County Office of Emergency Management wrote in a post.

Around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, officials said that the day had "brought good progress earned by hard labor." Firefighters had dug fireline on the northeast edge of the fire to build a fireline north from the intersection of NFSR 240 and 514. Helicopters cooled the fire's edge on the southeast side to create a bigger barrier between the flames and private land.

"The noticeable smoke this afternoon has largely been from interior pockets of unburned fuel consuming in and around Narraguinnep Canyon," fire officials posted online Tuesday.

Dolores Volunteer Fire & Rescue has responded to this fire and is accepting donations.

The USFS is working with ranchers whose cattle are out on Forest Service land.

The 11 Fire began burning on the morning of June 28 around High Park Road and County Road 352A in Fremont County.

All evacuation orders and road closures for this fire were lifted at 6:40 p.m. Monday, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office said.

High fire danger will continue Wednesday through Friday, the NWS reported. A red flag warning is in effect for this area Wednesday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Big Sheep Fire which is called the Sheep Head Fire in the Watch Duty map above is burning west of Big Sheep Mountain and north of La Veta Pass in Huerfano County. It started on Monday.

The Huerfano County Sheriff's Office said multiple crews are on scene and a helicopter has been providing aerial assistance Tuesday. The office said overnight operations Monday into Tuesday were "successful."

That success continued into Tuesday afternoon and evening, when the county announced that the 1,100-acre fire was 50% contained.

The cause is under investigation.

The sheriff's office said Monday evening that the area "between the fire and Highway 69 and to Farisita" is under a pre-evacuation notice as a precaution.

The incident command team was released from this fire on Wednesday morning. The focus of Wednesday's operations is on two primary hotspots and any additional flare-ups, the county said.

Click here to sign up for alerts for this fire.

This fire is burning about four miles west of Cahone in Dolores County. Limited information is currently available. No evacuations are in place.

The Dry Creek Fire, which started burning on June 23, is fully contained. All evacuation orders were lifted on June 28 as of 8 p.m., according to Watch Duty.

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. Over the last few days, fire departments across Colorado have been getting a similar call.

"We got a request through the Federal Resource Request," said Brandon Donner, wildland coordinator with the Adams County Fire Rescue. "It was an easy decision to make, right? We like to protect our own state."

They sent four crews and a brush truck to the Ferris Fire, which is burning in southwest Colorado.

"We've gone down there a couple times, and the big thing for me, talking to my guys about it, was a lot of light, flashy fuels. So the fires, when they move down there, they move quick," Donner said.

The crew members went with a Type 3 Brush Truck.

"The unique thing about the Type 3 is it has the off-road capabilities, so it can go in some of this rugged terrain, but more than anything, it carries more water to some of these desolate locations," Donner said.

Those types of trucks can carry 500 gallons of water. Westminster also sent four of their firefighters with the same type of truck.

"We want to stop these fires because wildland fires are so impactful to communities," said Emily Raisch with the Westminster Fire Department.

Several local agencies were also called in as back up for the deadly Snyder Fire burning in Mesa County.

West Metro Fire sent two sets of crews there. One crew will run a wildland brush engine.

The second crew from West Metro is part of their Rapid Extraction Module Support team.

Those firefighters are trained in wildland fire fighting and technical rescue.

Crews from Mountain View Fire Rescue left Monday morning for the Western Slope.

Several other agencies across Colorado have also sent in crews to help.

"We feel extremely honored to be able to assist our neighbors," Raisch said.

She said the four staff member vacancies from sending resources to the Ferris Fire have been back-filled by other local staff.

Both Westminster and Adams County officials are urging everyone on the Front Range to avoid putting a strain on fire crews and do their part to keep neighbors safe as the Fourth of July is upcoming.

"I encourage people to stay away from fireworks and just go to a professional show. They're all over the state," Donner said.

"It's so dry that any little fire really has the potential to take off," Raisch said.

As the deadly Snyder Fire continues to burn on the Colorado-Utah border, Mesa County Search and Rescue volunteers are reflecting on the teamwork that led to the success of a large rescue operation in a popular recreation area.

A total of 120 people  including one bachelorette party  six dogs, and one cat were evacuated from a stretch of the Colorado River in what Mesa County Search and Rescue officials say may be their most complex rescue in recent memory.

WATCH: Mesa County Search and Rescue Board President Jesse Goryl recounts the incredible rescue

"For this sort of operation to be pulled off in a very short time frame is nothing short of a miracle and really speaks to the high quality of our operations team members and just the collaboration and coordination between all the public safety in Mesa County," Mesa County Search and Rescue Board President Jesse Goryl said.

The 11-hour rescue began Saturday around 4:30 p.m. with a call for a missing teen who had been separated from his group in the Ruby-Horsethief Canyon area.

The teen was quickly accounted for by his family, Goryl said, but as the fire quickly approached the river corridor, the decision was made to evacuate everyone at campsites along the Loma to Westwater section of the Colorado River.

"It was important to get people out of there as soon as possible," Goryl said.

Search and rescue teams first tried to get to campsites on jet boats, navigating extreme wind, thick smoke and a tenuous river.

"It was very, very low water conditions which made the operation that much more difficult," Goryl said. "The Mesa County Sheriff's Office had a boat that was able to get to the camps and at least communicate with them, but could not evacuate that many people on a small jet boat."

That's when a creative solution came into play. Rescue crews got in touch with Union Pacific Railroad, which then provided high-rail trucks that attach to train tracks to drive down into the canyon and get campers and rafters out.

Rafters rowed across the river, and then boarded rail trucks that brought them to Grand Valley Transit Authority buses that took them to safety.

"It was really interesting because [the rail trucks] are one-way directional," Goryl said. "So driving reverse on a railroad for 10 miles was a unique experience."

While conditions varied up and down the river, some of those assisting with the rescue were met with a scary sight, Goryl said.

"The initial trucks into the campsites on the high-rail system were reported seeing flames, like a wall of flames, quickly approaching the campsites," Goryl said. "It was just a tense situation that needed to be done quickly and and it was and was done successfully."

By the time the fire reached the river corridor, all campsites had been successfully evacuated, Goryl said.

The Snyder Fire has burned 30,200 acres as of Tuesday afternoon and took the lives of three federal firefighters during a burnover. event The lightning-caused fire is 0% contained as of publication.

Emergency closures are in place along the Colorado River downstream of Fruita until the Utah state line. Anybody floating the Colorado River must end their trip at the Fruita boat ramp, as there are no river takeout points between Fruita and the Utah state line.

Goryl said this weekend's rescue and the atypical use of high-rail trucks is the most complex he's seen in his five years on the volunteer team.

"It's definitely something to consider as things get drier and fire conditions get worse," he said.

See the latest on the Snyder Fire and other wildfires burning in the state here.

MESA COUNTY, Colo. Emily Barker was brave, funny, kind and a natural leader. That is how her family wants her to be remembered after the 38-year-old died fighting the Snyder Fire on the Colorado-Utah state line on Saturday.

"Emily Barker was as fun-loving and reliable as she was brave. A beloved sister, aunt, daughter and friend, she was always there for anyone who needed her and could always bring out a laugh," reads a joint statement from Barker's sister Lisa Karczewski and brother Nick Barker.

Emily Barker, of Michigan, was one of three federal firefighters killed fighting the Snyder Fire burning in Mesa County. She was part of an elite helitack crew based out of Rifle.

Nick Hutcherson, 27, from Arizona and Sydney Watson, 27, from Alabama were identified as the other fallen firefighters. In addition, two firefighters were injured and have been treated for burns.

In a release, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service a federal department created earlier this year said all three died during a burnover incident, meaning the wildfire swept over an area and overtook firefighters. They had been trying to shield themselves from the flames with tent-like shelters when they were overcome, the Associated Press reported.

In a statement provided to Denver7, Emily Barker's siblings said that after graduating from Northern Michigan University, she started as a volunteer firefighter with Ironwood Township Fire Department while she studied ski area management at Gogebic Community College in Michigan.

She moved to Colorado after college and spent her winters in Vail. In the summer, she fought wildfires and worked at prescribed burns, her family said. Emily Barker was the first woman to win the "Snowmaker of the Year" award for the State of Colorado. She was honored with this in 2015 while she worked as a snowmaking supervisor at Vail Mountain.

She was close with her colleagues and often served in a mentorship role. Her family described her as a trailblazer.

"Emilys many hobbies and interests matched her dynamic personality," the family's statement reads. "She was an avid snowboarder and hockey player and enjoyed dirt biking, snowmobiling, hiking and all kinds of travel. She loved animals, camping under the stars, National Parks and, of course, her two nieces and nephew, whom she visited often."

Her vibrant energy lit up a room and she always left a lasting impression, her family said.

Emily Barker is survived by her two siblings Lisa Karczewski and Nick Barker and their families, as well as her mother Rosemary.

Sarah Brubeck, who lived with Emily Barker for 10 years, called her friend "the toughest, strongest girl I knew." They were like sisters and joined the same hockey team.

"Selfless, always looking out for someone else before her," she told Denver7's Maggy Wolanske. "I know that she was doing that up until the last moment on that mountain. On the ice, you know, she's protecting our goalie. She's protecting us on the ice. It didn't matter. It didn't matter what she was doing. She was looking out for others constantly or herself."

She was humble and many people had no idea about the firefighting skills she possessed, Brubeck said.

"I remember when we weren't getting fires so frequently in Colorado, and she would be going to do something and she'd get called out on the fire. And I mean, it was like Christmas for her," she said. "She was just so excited to be a part of that and fighting that fire. So, did she love serving her community? Absolutely. She loved giving herself to whoever around. She also was just very passionate about the fire, science and fighting fire."

A spokesperson for Vail Mountain said Emily Barker most recently worked with the resort's snowmaking team and the Patagonia store in town.

The Vail Mountain team is heartbroken to learn of the loss of Emily Barker, a cherished member of our family since 2010 whose leadership, warmth, and dedication touched everyone who worked alongside her," a statement from Vail reads. "She will be deeply missed. The entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to her family and friends.

A GoFundMe has been created to support Emily Barker's family. Leftover fund will be donated to a charity.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags to fly at half-staff Monday to honor the fallen firefighters.

"Im devastated about the loss of three heroic firefighters who died in the line of duty in Western Colorado," Polis said in a statement. "The men and women who serve on the front lines of these fires risk their lives to keep us safe and to protect the lands and communities we love. To the loved ones of those lost, and to their fellow crew members some who are still battling the flames know that the State of Colorado mourns alongside you."

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported that the Snyder Fire started after a lightning strike.

Gov. Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to this fire on Saturday.

The Snyder Fire merged with the Jones Fire, and then overtook the Knowles Fire and Gore Fire. Because they have combined, this blaze is known as the Snyder Fire.

This is just one of many wildfires currently burning in Colorado. Denver7 is keeping track of each fire in our story here and below.

The Forest and Wildland Fire services is investigating the firefighters' deaths.

The AP reports that these investigations typically result in recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Colorado's wildfires have burned more than 80,000 acres since last week and Tuesday will bring another day of prime conditions for more fire growth.

Denver7 is tracking the latest on all of these large and destructive wildfires in this story.

First, here's a look at Tuesday's forecast: The National Weather Service (NWS) is reporting that critical fire conditions will continue in Colorado's higher terrain Tuesday afternoon into the early evening hours. Sustained winds may reach 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 or 50 mph. Any wildfires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions, the NWS warned. Tuesday will likely be "the strongest day for fires" due to these winds, the NWS said. Winds may back off this weekend into early next week.

A red flag warning is in effect for almost the entire western two-thirds of the state until Tuesday evening.

Fire restrictions are in place for almost every county in the state. Check yours here.

The below map from NOAA shows smoke plumes impacting much of Colorado.

Three firefighters died fighting the Snyder Mesa Fire, also called the Snyder Fire, which is burning in Mesa County on the Utah-Colorado line.

Watch Duty reports it has burned more than 30,200 acres and is 10% contained as of Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The contained area is along the southwest side of the fire.

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported that lightning started this fire.

Pre-evacuations have been in place for the same area since June 28. It includes south of the Colorado River to BS Road (in the Glade Park area) and west of the Kingsview subdivision off Highway 340.

A map of this area is below.

An evacuation center managed by the American Red Cross is open at Grand Junction High School, according to the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Tuesday's firefighting effort will focus on the east side of the fire to keep it from spreading toward the Glade Park neighborhood. Fire officials said Tuesday afternoon that the fire's eastward progress slowed when it reached a rocky area with no or limited fuels.

Emergency closures are in place along the Colorado River downstream of Fruita until the Utah state line. An operations section chief said Tuesday that they had to rescue almost 120 people over the weekend from the area. Anybody floating the Colorado River must end their trip at the Fruita boat ramp, as there are no river takeout points between Fruita and the Utah state line, officials said. This closure is expected to last through the Fourth of July weekend.

Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell stressed during a press conference on Monday that "this is not the time to start human-caused fire" as the Fourth approaches.

"We're going to have natural fires we can't have human-caused fires," he said. "So, save your fireworks."

Rowell also said that drivers should make sure their vehicles aren't dragging chains, as that can also spark a wildfire.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to this fire on Saturday, June 27.

Ouray County declared a state of emergency on Sunday, June 28 for the Gold Mountain Fire, which originated on U.S. Forest Service land two miles northeast of the City of Ouray. The wind-driven fire is burning in extremely steep and rugged terrain.

According to the official Gold Mountain Fire Facebook page, the fire is 0% contained and has burned more than 12,000 acres as of 9:20 p.m. Tuesday.

Anybody in the Silverjack and West Fork of the Cimarron drainage areas are being evacuated Tuesday evening. The fire is expected to impact the Owl Creek Pass area as it runs up Stealey Mountain.

"The fire exhibited extreme fire behavior over the past two days under Red Flag conditions," the management team posted online. "It spread primarily to the east and northeast, into the Cow Creek drainage, up steep canyon walls, and north and northwest of Highway 550. During the night shift, firefighters reinforced firelines around Lake Lenore and County Road 14A. The fire remained active in several areas into the night and quieted down around midnight."

On Tuesday, firefighters planned to work around the southern edge to construct and reinforce fire lines to prevent the fire from spreading toward Ouray and the Lake Lenore area. They also planned to do the same on the western front to slow the fire's march toward US 550.

Multiple fire crews both on the ground and in the air have been ordered to assist. A U.S. Forest Service fire investigator responded to this wildfire to determine the cause.

Evacuations have been in place since Sunday for:

A pre-evacuation notice is in place from Whispering Pines to Black Lake neighborhood along County Road 17, according to the county. Gunnison County is also reporting a pre-evacuation notice for the area just north of Hampton Lake and Fish Creek Reservoir in the southwest part of the county.

Click here for an interactive map of all current evacuations.

An evacuation center has been set up at the Ridgway Secondary School, located at 1200 Green St. in Ridgway.

A two-mile stretch of Highway 550 is closed north of Ouray due to this fire.

The Ouray Volunteer Fire Department is responding to this fire and is accepting donations here. The Ouray County's emergency response team reports there is an immediate need for drinks, including bottled water, sodas, sports drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. Here's how to help.

Windy, dry and hot conditions will "result in moderate to extreme fire behavior throughout the course of the day," the incident management team reported Tuesday.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the Gold Mountain Fire on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management announced evacuations for the Willow Fire, which is burning on U.S. Forest Service land south of Turquoise Lake and west of the City of Leadville. It is about two miles northwest of the Leadville Fish Hatchery.

Mandatory evacuations are in place Tuesday for the following locations:

Denver7 spoke with Matthew Garcia, public information officer with the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, which was called up to help bring more personnel and equipment. He explained crews were battling the east side of the river as this is 'where most of the values at risk are' referring to the Leadville National Fish Hatchery.

On Tuesday, our Denver7 team in Leadville noticed the strong winds and the thick smell of smoke in the air.

"Winds have definitely played a factor. I think the first day we had a northerly wind that kind of pushed the fire south," said Garcia. "If we switched to a southwesterly wind, it'll start pushing the fire closer to these communities and so we've been utilizing this northerly wind, this kind of break in this southwest winds to bolster this kind of portion of the fire and we're trying to establish what we call a containment line."

There are multiple federal and state agencies battling the Willow Fire including the new agency U.S. Wildland Fire Service. Garcia explained the steep and rugged terrain are inaccessible by vehicle, so their main priority is firefighter and public safety.

"One of the biggest things we do is we mitigate fatigue. We want to make sure our firefighters are getting plenty of rest, making sure that they're going under the fire with good, clear minds, with the ability to make good judgment," said Garcia.

Pre-evacuation orders apply to homes in the Grand West area, Mountain View East and West, Turquoise Lake Estates, Silver Hills Subdivision, and homes on County Roads 9, 17, and 4. Another pre-evacuation zone was added for northeast Leadville. An evacuation center is located at Colorado Mountain College Leadville Campus.

A map of current evacuations is here. A screenshot is below and shows evacuations as of 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Large animals can be brought to Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds with a recommendation to call Diana at 719-839-1933 about capacity.

WATCH

During a press conference Monday afternoon, Gov. Jared Polis said it is "quite likely or possible" that part of or all of the City of Leadville will be told to evacuate, depending on wind behavior in the afternoon. When Denver7 asked Lake County Sheriff Heath Speckman about this during a Monday evening press conference in Leadville, he said fire officials believed the fire would move toward Leadville on Monday, but it actually moved "in the complete other direction."

Multiple roads are closed in the area for first responders, including Turquoise Lake Road, Highway 300 at County Road 5 and County 5A (Fish Hatchery Loop), County Road 9 and County Road 99 intersection (Leadville Junction), and County Road 4 and County Road 48 (Turquoise Lake Dam entrance).

In an operational update posted online at 4 p.m. Tuesday, officials said that the majority of resources Tuesday were "on the 300 Road," and will stay there for the next 48 hours to protect the Leadville community east of the fire. Crews put in a dozer line around the Leadville National Fish Hatchery to protect it, as well as homes on the west side of 300. Two helicopters dropped water on the fire Tuesday.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on Monday morning. Sign up for emergency alerts here.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office reported on Monday morning that several agencies had responded to a wildfire near Aspen Acres in Custer County, which has since spread into Pueblo County. This is about 15 miles northwest of Colorado City.

At least 100 structures have been lost in this fire in Pueblo County, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Custer County later posted online that they estimate 55 structures were destroyed in their county, mostly residential homes.

Fire crews are currently conducting damage assessments in the area and they will alert impacted homeowners once this is complete. The historic Horseshoe Lodge in Pueblo Mountain Park sustained significant damage, Sheriff Lucero said.

The Aspen Acres Fire has burned more than 28,000 acres and remains 0% contained. One firefighter was injured in Custer County on Monday, the sheriff's office said.

The acreage is expected to increase due to fire growth on the northwest side of the fire Tuesday evening as a storm rolled through, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office said.

The area is under a red flag warning on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will likely be under the same warning on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service out of Pueblo. Luckily, fire crews were able to make progress Tuesday morning when the winds were calmer. At one point, eight to 10 aircraft were in the air working to stop the flames, Sheriff Lucero said.

"Extreme fire behavior is likely as the day heats up and the winds increase," the Aspen Acres Fire 2026 Facebook page reads. "Short-range spotting is likely in areas where the fire moved downslope last night and the backing fire became a head fire with the southeast and slope winds."

The fire made an eight-mile run on Monday, said incident commander Phil Daniels on Tuesday afternoon. He added that evacuations will not lift Tuesday.

The following areas remain under an evacuation order, as of Tuesday evening:

An evacuation center is set up at the Pueblo County Recreation Center, located at 1650 Cooper Place. Pets are permitted. The center is in need of items for pets, including blankets, towels and wet cat food.

An evacuation site for large animals is open at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Rescue trucks are available to help call 719-251-0245 for assistance. Donations of buckets and headlamps are welcome.

Highway 165 is closed from Highway 78 to the Pueblo County line at Lake Isabel.

A bridge thought to be 100 years old burned and collapsed on Highway 165 and CDOT sent out engineers to create a temporary bridge Tuesday evening, the Custer County Sheriff's Office said.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on Monday morning. Later that evening, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for this fire.

The Ferris Fire began burning in the Glade Area near Narraguinnep Canyon, about 15 miles northwest of Dolores, on June 27. As of Tuesday evening, the fire burned more than 21,000 acres, according to Watch Duty. The official Ferris Fire Facebook page reads that fire behavior is not quieting down as much as normal Tuesday evening.

The nearby Doe Canyon Fire and Far Draw Fire merged with the Ferris Fire, so the blaze is now being managed as the Ferris Fire. The suspected cause of the fire is lightning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Fire officials said a fire line was constructed on the east side of the Ferris Fire on Monday, including a containment line to protect the Glade Ranch subdivision.

The Lone Dome Road, Bradfield Campground, the campground down Highway 504 to the McPhee Dam and Glade Ranch subdivision have been under evacuation orders since Monday. Anybody who evacuated is welcome to come to the Pleasant View Fire Station at 15235 Road CC.

The fire has not reached any private lands or the Lookout Tower as of Monday evening. Operations Section Chief Pat Seekins said Tuesday morning that crews made good progress at the fire's southwest edge of the western-most finger. Their priority Tuesday was protecting structures, including the Glade Ranch subdivision to the northeast.

Crews were told to expect a "challenging day," fire officials said.

Around 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, officials said that the day had "brought good progress earned by hard labor." Firefighters had dug fireline on the northeast edge of the fire to build a fire line north from the intersection of NFSR 240 and 514. Helicopters cooled the fire's edge on the southeast side to create a bigger barrier between the flames and private land.

"The noticeable smoke this afternoon has largely been from interior pockets of unburned fuel consuming in and around Narraguinnep Canyon," fire officials posted online.

"Today, aircraft were critical in supporting crews at the southeast and northeast parts of the fire," they continued. "Three heavy helicopters each delivered water for 7-8 hours and airtankers dropped roughly 50,000 gallons of retardant. Swing and night shifts will capitalize on this work, continuing to dig line and burn out where necessary to tie into roads and natural barriers like meadows."

Dolores Volunteer Fire & Rescue has responded to this fire and is accepting donations.

Stage 2 fire restrictions will go into place for the San Juan National Forest, meaning all campfires are prohibited, starting July 1.

The 11 Fire began burning on the morning of June 28 around High Park Road and County Road 352A in Fremont County.

All evacuation orders and road closures for this fire were lifted at 6:40 p.m. Monday, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office said.

As of 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, the 100-acre fire is 30% contained, according to the sheriff's office.

A red flag warning will impact this area from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, and likely again on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The Big Sheep Fire is burning west of Big Sheep Mountain and north of La Veta Pass in Huerfano County. It started on Monday.

The Huerfano County Sheriff's Office said multiple crews are on scene and a helicopter has been providing aerial assistance Tuesday.

"Overnight operations were successful," the sheriff's office said on Tuesday morning.

That success continued into Tuesday afternoon and evening, when the county announced that the 1,000-acre fire was 50% contained.

The cause remains under investigation.

The sheriff's office said Monday evening that the area "between the fire and Highway 69 and to Farisita" is under a pre-evacuation notice as a precaution. This will be reevaluated Tuesday evening, but remains in place otherwise. A map of the evacuation zone is not available.

This fire is called the Sheep Head Fire on Watch Duty, but officials say that is not the formal name.

Click here to sign up for alerts for this fire.

South of Rifle

Size: 316 acres

Containment: 100%

Start date: June 23

Cause: Unknown

The Dry Creek Fire, which started burning on June 23, is fully contained. All evacuation orders were lifted on June 28 as of 8 p.m., according to Watch Duty.

Denver7 took a look at the reality of year-round wildfires in our special "Burned Out" in November. Watch it below and read our in-depth story here.

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Multiple large and fast-moving wildfires are burning on the western side of Colorado, forcing evacuations, closures and sending plumes of smoke into the air and across the state.

Denver7 is tracking the latest on each and has crews working to learn more about these destructive fires. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has verbally declared disaster emergencies for several of these fires, which authorizes more resources to help with containment and protecting communities.

The National Weather Service is reporting that warm and dry air will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds on Monday and Tuesday, which could possibly continue through Friday. Sustained winds are expected to reach 15-30 mph in the high country, with gusts up to 45 mph.

"These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions," the NWS said.

All flags on state buildings will fly at half-staff on Monday to honor the three firefighters who died fighting the Snyder Mesa Fire, also called the Snyder Fire, which is burning in Mesa County on the Utah-Colorado line. They have been identified as Emily Barker, 38, of Michigan, Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Arizona, and Sydney Watson, 27, of Alabama. Two other firefighters were injured.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to this fire on Saturday, June 27.

The Snyder Fire merged with the Jones Fire, and then overtook the Knowles Fire and Gore Fire. Because they have combined, this blaze is known as the Snyder Fire.

WATCH

Emergency closures are in place along the Colorado River downstream of Fruita. The closure continues until the Utah state line. Anybody floating the Colorado River must end their trip at the Fruita boat ramp, as there are no river takeout points between Fruita and the Utah state line. This closure is expected to last through the Fourth of July weekend.

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported that lightning started this fire.

The Red Cross evacuation resource center is open at Grand Junction High School until 8 p.m. Monday.

Ouray County declared a state of emergency on Sunday, June 28 for the Gold Mountain Fire, which originated on U.S. Forest Service land. The fire has been "very influenced by the wind," the county said, and is burning in extremely steep and rugged terrain.

According to Watch Duty, the fire has burned 8,336 acres as of 7:40 p.m. Monday. Conditions look like they will be worse on Tuesday, said Ouray County Manager Antonio Mendez during a Ouray County Board of Commissioners emergency meeting on Monday.

"So, just want to set expectations there: We're probably going to have a tough week here," added Jake Niece with the Ouray County Board of County Commissioners during the emergency BOCC meeting Monday.

Multiple fire crews both on the ground and in the air were ordered to assist. A USFS fire investigator responded to this wildfire to work to determine the cause. According to the Ouray County Sheriff's Office, the fire started after a tree fell on a power line but the USFS said the cause is under investigation and confirmed it started on private land.

Evacuations are currently in place for:

A pre-evacuation notice is in place from Whispering Pines to Black Lake neighborhood along County Road 17, according to the county.

An evacuation center has been set up at the Ridgway Secondary School, located at 1200 Green St. in Ridgway.

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, no structures were lost.

A two-mile stretch of Highway 550 is closed north of Ouray due to this fire. Only local residents are allowed to use County Road 17. All other traffic must go to Highway 145 through Telluride. Mendez said there is a potential for burning debris to fall on the highway.

"Since the last operational period, firefighters have focused on structure protection and point protection to safeguard homes and critical values at risk, supported by both ground and aviation resources," the USFS said at 4:13 p.m. Monday. "Crews worked in the Lake Lenore and Dexter Creek areas throughout yesterdays shift. The fire has not crossed County Road 14A, and crews continue to use that corridor as a key operational boundary to keep the fire east of U.S. 550 and County Road 14A, and north of the City of Ouray."

The City of Ouray is not under an evacuation notice as of now, but a cell tower may have been damaged by the fire, resulting in limited service in the small community. The city is in touch with Verizon about getting a stronger unit into the area after a temporary mobile unit was brought in but was not sufficient.

The Ouray Volunteer Fire Department is responding to this fire and is accepting donations here.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the Gold Mountain Fire on Sunday.

There is no current threat to Ridgway State Park, which remains open to visitors.

Ouray County is under stage 2 fire restrictions, meaning campfires are not permitted. A public information officer with the county said they had to tell people at three different campfires to put out the flames on Sunday evening.

On Sunday afternoon, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management announced evacuations for the Willow Fire, which is burning on U.S. Forest Service land in the Twin Mounds area below Mount Massive. Fire behavior has been more "moderate" on Monday compared to Sunday, the USFS said.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for the following locations:

Pre-evacuation orders apply to homes in the Grand West area, Mountain View East and West, Turquoise Lake Estates, Silver Hills Subdivision, and homes on County Roads 9, 17, and 4. Leadville proper is not under any evacuation orders.

WATCH

At 9:29 a.m. Monday, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management said there were no major updates overnight. On Monday morning, crews dropped water to limit the growth of some hotspots. Due to increasing winds, aircraft could not fly in the afternoon, the USFS reported.

During a press conference Monday afternoon, Gov. Jared Polis said it is "quite likely or possible" that part of or all of Leadville will be told to evacuate, depending on wind behavior in the afternoon.

However, officials said later that evening that winds had shifted 180 degrees from what officials expected, easing immediate concerns about evacuating Leadville, though preevacuation zones remain.

Multiple roads are closed in the area for first responders, including Turquoise Lake Road, Highway 300 at County Road 5 and County 5A (Fish Hatchery Loop), County Road 9 and County 99 intersection (Leadville Junction), and County Road 4 and County Road 48 (Turquoise Lake Dam entrance).

Large animals can be brought to the rodeo grounds on McWethy Drive.

The fire was very active on Sunday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Due to the steep and rugged terrain, most of Sunday's firefighting efforts happened from the air. Crews will scout the area on Monday to try to access the fire.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, locals say conversations everywherefrom grocery stores to neighborhoodsare focused on the fire, with some families packing bags as they near evacuation lines.

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The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office reported on Monday morning that several fire agencies had responded to a wildfire near Aspen Acres in Custer County, which has since spread into Pueblo County. This is about 15 miles northwest of Colorado City.

The fire grew from an estimated 2,000 acres Monday morning to 23,000 acres by 5 p.m. Monday. Winds around 100 mph pushed the fire to spread quickly and kept firefighting aircraft on the ground, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

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The Custer County Sheriff's Office said structures have been lost in both counties. An exact number is not yet confirmed. The cause of the fire is unknown as a fire investigator has not been able to reach that area.

The Custer County Sheriff's Office said the winds had started to pick up Monday afternoon and "the fire size is increasing rapidly."

The following areas are under an evacuation order, as of 7 p.m Monday:

An evacuation center is set up at the Pueblo County Recreation Center, located at 1650 Cooper Place. Pets are permitted. An evacuation site for large animals is set up at 4 Bar S, located at 6675 Highway 78.

Highway 165 is closed from Highway 78 to the Pueblo County line at Lake Isabel.

Aircraft were ordered and were en route, but the Custer County Sheriff's Office said they may need to cancel due to wind.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for this fire on Monday morning.

The Ferris Fire began burning in the Glade Area near Narraguinnep Canyon, about 15 miles northwest of Dolores, on June 27.

High winds have caused extreme fire behavior on Monday. The nearby Doe Canyon Fire and Far Draw Fire merged with the Ferris Fire. The blaze is now being managed as the Ferris Fire. The suspected cause of the fire is lightning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Residents and visitors in the area, as well as along the Lone Dome Road and Bradfield Campground, were evacuated on Saturday. The campground down Highway 504 to the McPhee Dam is under evacuation orders. Dolores County issued evacuations for Glade Ranch residents and a pre-evacuation order has been issued further east.

Anybody who evacuated is welcome to come to the Pleasant View Fire Station at 15235 Road CC.

The fire has not reached any private lands or the Lookout Tower. Air tankers dropped retardant around homes that are ahead of the fire as a precaution.

"Retardant drops were effective at slowing spread as were meadow systems that were less susceptible to burning," the USFS said.

A fire area closure is in effect, which runs about 30 miles northwest of Dolores and 10 miles east of Cahone. The public is not permitted within this area.

In a Monday afternoon update, Toby Cook, operations section chief with San Juan Team 8, said they got dozer lines on part of the northwest section and put fire retardant around the Glade Ranch subdivision northeast of the fire. The southern part of the fire has been quiet, Cook said.

The 11 Fire began burning on the morning of June 28 around High Park Road and County Road 352A in Fremont County.

Evacuations were ordered for anybody within a 1.25-mile radius of the fire and evacuees were welcomed at Pathfinder Park or Teller County Fairgrounds, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office reported. All evacuations and road closures were lifted at 6:40 p.m. on Monday, the sheriff's office said.

"Fire crews will continue working throughout the evening to contain the fire after battling challenging winds and high temperatures today," the sheriff's office said.

The Bureau of Land Management has assumed control of this incident.

We are working to learn more about this fire. The Huerfano County Sheriff's Office said multiple crews are on scene. A map of this fire is not yet available.

At 7:24 p.m. Monday, the sheriff's office said the area "between the fire and Highway 69 and to Farisita" is under a pre-evacuation notice. This area was previously under a mandatory evacuation notice.

South of Rifle

Size: 316 acres

Containment: 100%

Start date: June 23

Cause: Unknown

The Dry Creek Fire, which started burning on June 23, is fully contained.

All evacuation orders were lifted on June 28 as of 8 p.m., according to Watch Duty.

Denver7 took a look at the reality of year-round wildfires in our special "Burned Out" in November. Watch it below and read our in-depth story here.

DENVER For the first time, a collared gray wolf crossed Interstate 25 and made a large loop across the southeastern quadrant of Colorado before turning back and crossing to the west side of the highway.

The wolf traveled through watersheds in Pueblo County, Otero County and Las Animas County before it looped back to I-25 to return to the western side, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said.

The most recent wolf movement map, released on Wednesday by CPW, shows where that wolf traveled. The map is broken down by watersheds, and it is shaded in purple if at least one GPS point from a collared wolf was recorded there within the past 30 days.

"This activity east of I-25 highlights the broad movements made by dispersing wolves," CPW said. "CPW is in active communication with producers who have known wolf activity near their operations and is coordinating access to conflict minimization resources."

CPW encourages anybody who believes they have seen a wolf to fill out this form on their website.

Denver7 has been following Colorado's wolf reintroduction program since the very beginning, and you can explore all of that reporting in the timeline below, which starts with our most recent story.

Looking for a firework show near you to celebrate the Fourth of July? Denver7 has you covered with this list of planned 2026 events, festivities and, of course, the big show in the night sky. We're also keeping track of what is canceled this year, with Colorado's ongoing drought and wildfire risk.

Local law enforcement agencies are reminding Coloradans that most fireworks are illegal in the state outside of these shows. Here's what you should know.

Want to add a fireworks show to this list? Email us at newstips@denver7.com.

Adam County's Stars & Stripes celebration is set for Riverdale Regional Park on July 3. This event, which will include live music, food, beverage vendors and a fireworks show, is free and family friendly.

Due to the historic drought conditions this year, the City of Alamosa has canceled Fourth of July fireworks out of an abundance of caution for wildfire danger. The city wants to assure residents, there are still things to do to celebrate the holiday, including a pancake breakfast, main street parade, park party kickoff and contests. Festivities begin at 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The City of Arvada planned to host its annual Fourth of July fireworks display at Stenger Sports Complex, however the fireworks were canceled on July 2 due to elevated wildfire risk.

The City of Aurora plans to host July 4th festivities at the Aurora Municipal Center (15151 E. Alameda Parkway) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m.

The fireworks show planned Avon's Salute to USA event has been cancelled due to the lack or rain in Eagle County and the enactment of Stage 2 fire restrictions. The event, featuring live music and more, will continue as planned at Harry A. Nottingham Park starting at 5 p.m.

The Town of Berthoud has scheduled its annual 3rd of July celebration at Waggener Farm Park, complete with over 30 food trucks, a beer garden, inflatables, lawn games, and live entertainment throughout the evening. The event begins at 5 p.m. with DJ Drake, followed by a live performance from Tumbledown Shack at 7:00 p.m. The evening concludes with fireworks.

Theres no official public fireworks display scheduled in the City of Boulder for the Fourth of July after the city permanently canceled the traditional Folsom Field event.

Breckenridge will have a days worth of events to celebrate Independence Day. The city starts with a 10K at 7 a.m., followed by a parade at 10 a.m. This years holiday will commemorate the nations 250th and Colorados 150th anniversaries with a National Repertory Orchestra performance. Breckenridges drone show Stories in the Sky, in lieu of a traditional fireworks show, will begin around 9 p.m.

The City of Brighton will have celebrations at Carmichael Park (650 E. Southern Street) on Saturday, July 4, including a live concert from 7 - 9 p.m. and free face painting for kids. The National Anthem and Fireworks Display will follow the concert.

Broomfield will host its 2026 Great American Picnic starting at 5 p.m. at Broomfield County Commons Park (13200 Sheridan Blvd.). There will be inflatables, concessions and food vendors and a beer garden for those 21 years and older, the city said. Music starts at 6 p.m., followed by a fireworks display, scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m.

Buena Vistas Fourth of July Festival will span the weekend, starting with the All-American Dance Party at the Orpheum Theater from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, theres a 5K from 8:30-10:30 a.m., followed by a parade. The Independence Day Fireworks will begin on Rodeo Grounds when dusk falls Saturday night.

Castle Rock is hosting a special America 250 - Colorado 150 version of its annual event. The festivities are set to begin at 5:30 p.m. at Festival Park and will include live music, local food trucks, face painting, a pie bake-off competition and more. The night will go out with a bang with a fireworks display, weather permitting.

There's all sorts of ways to celebrate Independence Day in the Springs. On July 1, the city announced that all permitted July 4 firework shows in Colorado Springs have been canceled due to extreme fire danger.

Commerce City's 4thFEST kicks off outside DICKs Sporting Goods Park (6000 Victory Way) at 3 p.m. The free family festival includes a bounce house, rock climbing wall, alpine slide, pedal carts, mechanical bull and more.

Inside the park, watch a double-header in the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup. Tonga vs. Zimbabwe begins at 4:15 p.m., and Team USA takes on Portugal at 7 p.m.

Fireworks will immediately follow the matches.

Per the Craig Rural Fire Protection, the fireworks show in Craig is canceled due to extreme fire danger.

From donkeys to classic cars, there's something for everyone at Cripple Creek's Independence Day celebration.

On the 4th, vendors and food trucks will be open for business from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Heritage Center. On the 300 and 400 blocks of East Bennett Avenue, you'll find live music, a beer tent, root beer floats, games for kids, "Victorian personalities" and more.

The fireworks show has been canceled.

The party keeps going July 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on E. Bennett Avenue with more food, drinks, music and even a street dance.

Hot air balloons will take to the Delta sky July 2-5 for the Western Sky Balloon Festival. There's a full slate of activities throughout the fest from face painting and a petting zoo to mud volleyball and ax throwing. See the full rundown here.

On Friday, July 3, a 9:45 p.m. drone show caps off the night, and a fireworks show begins around 9:45 p.m on Saturday, July 4.

The City of Denver's usual "Indy Eve" celebration won't happen this year amid ongoing construction at Civic Center Park, but there are still plenty of other ways to ring in the holiday around the city.

The City of Englewood will host a fireworks show on July 4 at Belleview Park and Cornerstone Park to celebrate our nation's history, honor 250 years of American independence, and enjoy an evening of community, patriotism and fun. The party starts at 5 p.m. and goes through 10 p.m. The fireworks show starts at 9:15 p.m.

Head to Erie Community Park, located at 450 Powers Street on July 3 to celebrate our nations 250th birthday! The annual Independence Day celebration will launch from the rooftop of the Erie Community Center, lighting up the sky to kick off the holiday.

The town of Estes Park announced July 1 that its fireworks would be rescheduled.

The Town of Firestone will hold a patriotic July 4 celebration for the whole family at Miners Park. Kick off the festivities with a lively parade through the historic town, then head to the park for a bustling street fair packed with free games, crafts, and hands-on activities. The fireworks show begins after sundown.

The City of Fort Collins will host a full day of activities this Independence Day, starting with a 5K race, continuing with a new community experience in City Park that will highlight the nations history, and ending with a fireworks show starting around 9:35 p.m. over Sheldon Lake.

Head to Fort Lupton for an Independence Day festival celebrating our nations birthday. There will be a performance from country artist Eric Golden, as well as games, rides, a vendor market, food trucks, beer garden and more. Its all happening from 3-8 p.m. at Community Park at the Rec. Center. The fireworks show can be viewed from Coyote Creek Golf Course.

Head to Fruita for the towns Independence Day celebration. The fireworks show, which begins after sundown, can be viewed from pretty much anywhere in town, but two popular spots are Rotary Park and the Visitor Center. Snooks Bottom Open Space will be closed to the public for the entire day and during the show.

Get ready for a spectacular night of entertainment, excitement, and fireworks on Independence Day at Infinity Park. The celebration begins with a showing of F1 at 7 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Head to Glenwood Springs to celebrate Independence Day in Two Rivers Park! The party begins at 4:30 p.m. with family-friendly fun, followed by live music from 5-9 p.m.

While there will be no fireworks in Golden for Independence Day, live music will be the heartbeat of our countrys anniversary this July 4 at Lions Park. There will also be morning yoga and a junior jubilee. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

There will be a whole weekend of Independence Day celebrations in Grand Junction this year. Start celebrating our nations birthday with the Red, White and Blue Party on July 3, before heading to the July 4 Parade on Main Street. A fireworks show will take place at Lincoln Park after sundown.

Greeley's July 4 fireworks will take place at 10 p.m. at Island Grove Regional Park in the northwest corner. The pyrotechnics serve as the grand finale for the annual Greeley Stampede celebration, which features rodeos, live concerts, and carnival attractions.

The City of Gunnison is planning to have its fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, following a day of kids games, beer garden, live music and more.

Douglas County commissioners approved a new fireworks show for Highlands Ranch after two months of back and forth, however on July 2, the county moved into Stage 2 fire restrictions. The fireworks show has been canceled, and a concert and drone show has been scheduled at Highland Heritage Regional Park at 6 p.m. on July 2.

While a July 4 fireworks show will not take place this year due to fire restrictions, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate our nations 250th. Kick off the day with the national anthem at 10:45 a.m. downtown and follow it up with live music and other festivities which start on Miner Street right after.

While technically not happening on July 4, Lafayettes Independence Day fireworks show this year will take place as part of the Fun and Fireworks festival, happening at Waneka Lake Park from 4-10 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk.

Lakewoods Big Belmar Bash will celebrate our nations 250th with a community gathering and "spectacular" drone show. The festivities begin at 5 p.m, with the drone show taking place at approximately 9:15 p.m. MIX 100 will be providing the soundtrack for the drone light show.

Billed as the largest free community event in south Jefferson County, the Red, White & You party at Clement Park is taking place July 3. There will be kids activities, live entertainment, food concessions, community business booths, beer & wine garden, and a fireworks display after sundown.

The City of Lone Tree enacted Stage 2 Restrictions, effective Thursday, July 2, prompting leaders to cancel the fireworks show planned for the City of Lone Tree's Independence Day Party in the Park. City leaders said they would explore the possibility of rescheduling the display later this year when weather allows and it's safe again.

Kick off Independence Day in Longmont with a backyard concert at Roosevelt Park on July 3, before heading to a drone and fireworks show on July 4, with the drone show starting at 9:15 p.m. and the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

The City of Louisville welcomes the pubic to its Fourth of July celebration at the Coal Creek Golf Course, located at 585 W. Dillion Road, starting at 6 p.m. on July 4. Visitors can enjoy live music, local food vendors and family fun. A fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

A fireworks show will return to Loveland this Independence Day to celebrate our nations 250th birthday! Family fun, food and the fireworks show will take place at North Lake Park. The fireworks show will also be visible at Dwayne Webster Park and the Benson Sculpture Gardens. The fireworks display will begin after sundown.

The City of Montrose will host its annual July 4th event, which includes a farmers market at 9 a.m., a parade down Main Street at 10 a.m., a food truck and beer garden starting at 11 a.m. and family fun at noon.

The Montrose Summer Music Series will kick off at 6 p.m., followed by Zambelli firework performance at 9:40 p.m.

Northglenn's celebration will begin at noon and continue through the fireworks show, which is expected to begin around 9:15 p.m. and run through 9:40 p.m. at EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park.

Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy other festivities earlier in the day, like a car show, live music and more.

The small town of Ouray is putting on a big celebration on July 4, with the Ourayce 10K at 7:30 a.m., a parade at 10 a.m., games for kids at 11 a.m. at Fellin Park, a water fight at 6th and Main Street at 2 p.m. The fireworks show has been canceled this year due to extremely dry conditions.

Fireworks will launch for the Parker show at 9:30 p.m. from just northeast of Salisbury Park, depending on the weather. Visit the city's website for the launch site so you can set up at a good viewing spot!

The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo has announced the return of Rollin' on the Riverwalk, Pueblo's largest Independence Day celebration.

The fun begins at 4 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. for the fireworks show.

The Pueblo West Metropolitan District said due to dry weather conditions and out of an abundance of caution, they are postponing their fireworks display.

"The safety of our community, residents, and visitors is always our top priority, and this decision was made with careful consideration to help reduce fire risk during these conditions," the district wrote on Facebook.

However, it will have a celebration at Civic Center Park. A full itinerary will be announced on their Facebook page soon.

Due to extreme fire danger, the City of Rifle has canceled the fireworks part of its annual July Third Celebration. However, the festivities will continue as planned with a full day of free, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food vendors, and community festivities.

The Custer County sheriff, fire chief, and fireworks organizers have decided to postpone July 4 fireworks due to weather, fire conditions and availability of fire crews.

This year's theme for the Steamboat Springs' Fourth of July celebration is "250/150: Celebrating our Pioneers, Patriots & Peak."

The three-day celebration includes the Pro Rodeo Series, a parade and more. However, it will not have a firework show.

Town Park in Telluride will have a firework show at dusk on July 4. This is weather-dependent.

Carpenter Park Fields, located at 11000 Colorado Boulevard in Thornton, will have 19 food vendors, a beer garden, live entertainment and parachutists, who will jump at 9:30 p.m., followed by the fireworks show.

The city's fire department said on July 4: "this years fireworks show has been modified with fireworks designed to reduce the debris fall-out area. Crews will wet down the launch and fall-out areas before the show, and firefighters, including a brush truck and additional personnel will be strategically positioned throughout the event."

Vail America Days will kickoff on July 4 with a morning parade through Vail, followed by family fun and concerts through the afternoon. Fireworks were scheduled for 9:45 p.m., but were canceled on June 24 as Eagle County enters Stage 2 fire restrictions.

Westminster City Park will welcome the public for a day of activities, food and drinks and live music starting at 4 p.m.

The Town of Ward canceled its fireworks display July 2, but said the parade and other community events were still on to celebrate the holiday.

UPDATE | June 27, 12:30 p.m. The Dry Creek Fire is now fully contained and all evacuations have been lifted, according to Colorado River Fire Rescue.

UPDATE | June 24, 10 a.m. The Dry Creek Fire is now an estimated 315 acres. Evacuations remain in place, according to Colorado River Fire Rescue. Winds on Wednesday are expected to "test the fire line."

Below is Denver7's latest report on this fire.

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. A nearly 300-acre wildfire in the Grass Mesa area of Garfield County has forced evacuations in some neighborhoods south of Rifle, authorities said Tuesday afternoon.

Colorado River Fire Rescue out of Rifle said that the fire was first reported around 3:20 p.m Tuesday along Gage Road. It came in as a reported structure fire and was later corrected as a brush fire that was burning toward a structure.

"Upon arrival, firefighters found a rapidly spreading wildland fire being driven by strong winds to the east and southeast," the department said.

As of Tuesday evening, the fire now called the Dry Creek Fire has burned 288 acres and destroyed one residence and one outbuilding. Other structures and "gas infrastructures" are threatened, Colorado River Fire Rescue said.

The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said all homes in the following areas are under an evacuation order Tuesday afternoon, and the order will stay in place overnight:

All evacuated residents can go to the Garfield County Fairgrounds, the sheriff's office said. A pre-evacuation notice has gone out to residents on Grass Mesa south of Rodeo Drive and Coyote Trail.

"Due to the fire's growth and the threat to infrastructure, the Mountain Area Mutual Aid (MAMA) system was activated, bringing additional resources from Eagle and Pitkin counties to assist with suppression efforts," Colorado River Fire Rescue said.

Grand River Health, the local hospital, posted online saying they are monitoring conditions closely and the hospital's incident command team has a plan in place in case they need to evacuate. The winds are currently not moving in the hospital's direction, they said.

Crews in multiple firefighting aircraft are working to contain the blaze from the air, and authorities have requested more to respond.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Several counties on the west side of the state are under an air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke due to fires burning outside of Colorado. This includes Garfield County, as well as Mesa, Montrose, Delta, San Miguel, Dolores, Ouray, San Juan, Hinsdale, Mineral, Gunnison, Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta, Saguache, Rio Grande and Conejos counties. This is in place until 9 a.m. Wednesday.

FRUITA, Colo. The Centennial State has one less 'Leaving Colorful Colorado' sign after it was destroyed during a vehicle crash on I-70 near Mile Marker 231 on Saturday. This is in far western Colorado.

Lower Valley Fire District (LVFD) on social media posted that the sign was obliterated when an apparent blown tire set off a crash where the driver of a van lost control and was forced off I-70.

LVFD said the driver of the van was able to get out of the vehicle and was checked out by first responders but declined to go to the hospital.

There were no serious injuries in the crash, added LVFD.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has killed a lone, uncollared wolf believed to be responsible for 10 confirmed depredation events since the summer of 2025, the agency announced Saturday.

Officials said video evidence showed the wolf originally a member of the Copper Creek Pack  was the same elusive wolf responsible for depredations in Rio Blanco County in 2025 and early 2026. Officials had made several previous attempts to "lethally remove" the wolf, but were unsuccessful and eventually called off the effort.

Those efforts began again after two depredation events in Routt County on Wednesday and Thursday, CPW spokesperson Luke Perkins confirmed.

The wolf's 10 depredation events since 2025 involved 22 sheep, according to CPW's release. CPW officials said there was "clear and convincing evidence" in each case that a wolf was responsible and that non-lethal options were pursued.

Perkins said CPW determines if lethal removal is appropriate "on a case-by-case basis," and more details will be included in a final report on the lethal removal that will be posted to CPW's website.

CPW concludes lethal removal is appropriate if there is chronic depredation  three confirmed events in 30 days with at least one having "clear and convincing evidence"  and a livestock producer has tried to nonlethally deter the wolf, Perkins said in an email. The agency may also decide "it is appropriate in other circumstances," he said.

The decision to pursue lethal actions is never an easy one but the circumstances around this wolfs repeated depredation history made this a difficult but necessary decision, CPW Director Laura Clellan said in a release. The producers impacted by these depredations have worked diligently with CPW to identify and deploy all viable and reasonable non-lethal tools and techniques identified through their site assessment and consultation with our field staff.

Those efforts included deployment of range riders, the use of livestock guardian dogs, human presence from herders and applying for injurious non-lethal hazing permits, according to CPW's release.

This elusive wolf had a number of chances but sadly chose to continue to depredate which necessitated this challenging management decision," Gov. Jared Polis said in the release. "Colorado remains committed to recovering and maintaining a viable, self-sustaining wolf population in Colorado, while concurrently working to minimize wolf-related conflicts with domestic animals, with non-lethal means as our priority.

This marks the second wolf CPW has killed since voter-mandated wolf reintroduction began in 2023, according to CPW spokesperson Perkins.

The first was just over a year ago in Pitkin County after a series of depredations in May 2025.

Denver7 has been following Colorado's wolf reintroduction program since the very beginning, and you can explore all of that reporting in the timeline below, which starts with our most recent story.

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. A brush fire burning west of Parachute in Garfield County was human-caused, according to the Grand Valley Fire Protection District.

The fire, burning in the area of 800 County Road 339 west of Parachute, was first reported Monday.

In an update Friday, officials from the Grand Valley Fire Protection District said the 18-acre fire was now 90% contained and controlled.

Several engines, one helicopter, and two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) assisted in fighting the blaze, officials said.

The Grand Valley Fire Protection District will continue to monitor the area and provide additional resources as needed to ensure the fire remains secure.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. Interstate 70 in Garfield County was closed in both directions for nearly five hours Tuesday due to a brush fire in the area. The eastbound lanes and one westbound lane reopened around 8 p.m.

All lanes reopened in both directions around 10 p.m.

The closure, just west of Glenwood Springs, was between U.S. 6 (Chacra) and Exit 114 (West Glenwood), according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

CDOT was encouraging commuters to use the northern alternate route a two-hour-long detour.

The fire, called the Paradise Fire, had burned an estimated 4.5 acres as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

In a Wednesday morning update, the Glenwood Springs Fire Department said the main objectives for the day are to fully contain the fire and minimize impacts to I-70.

The Glenwood Springs Fire Department said that approximately 44 firefighters were working to stop the fire's spread in steep, rocky terrain Tuesday. About 30 firefighters, plus agency partners, are expected at the fire on Wednesday.

The fire department also said that two helicopters are en route to assist with suppression efforts, refilling bucket drops from the Colorado River.

It's not known what sparked the blaze, which is burning close to the westbound lanes in South Canyon, but the area is under a red flag warning for extremely dry conditions.

MESA COUNTY, Colo. A Palisade man has been arrested on kidnapping and sexual assault charges amid an ongoing investigation.

Around 7:30 p.m. on June 4, deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an "overdue female" of unknown age from an area near the Palisade Rim Trailhead and the Colorado River. It's not clear if the female was an adult or juvenile.

About 45 minutes later, the deputies were dispatched to a possible kidnapping and sexual assault, which was reported by "a female" around Vega Reservoir on the Grand Mesa, the sheriff's office said.

The deputies determined these cases were connected.

They found the suspect's vehicle on Highway 65 and identified the driver as 40-year-old Dustin Peterson, of Palisade. He had an active warrant and was arrested on that charge, the sheriff's office reported.

Investigators continued working overnight.

Peterson is being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

Anybody with information on this case is asked to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at 970-244-3274.

No other details were available as of Monday morning.

According to court documents, Peterson has been previously arrested on charges related to theft in 2017 and robbery in 2014, as well as a temporary restraining order against him from 2013.

MESA COUNTY, Colo. Two teenage boys were arrested Monday after stealing a truck in Grand Junction, according to deputies with the Mesa County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies responded to a report of a stolen truck on D Road near the intersection with 29 Road at approximately 4:20 p.m. The owner of the truck told deputies his vehicle had been missing since about 11 a.m. or perhaps earlier in the day.

Investigative work helped deputies pin the vehicle down to a possible location near Loma, and deputies were able to find it traveling near M and 12 Roads.

A high-risk stop was then performed and the two teenage boys were taken into custody, according to a news release. Their identities will not be released since the boys are minors.

During the course of the investigation, deputies learned the vehicle had traveled extensively between Clifton and Loma.

Deputies said the Fruita Police Department responded to a call of an erratic driver around noon and found the vehicle, which had not been yet reported as stolen, abandoned in a parking lot near Highway 340 and Jurassic Court. The teenagers later returned to the vehicle and continued their escapade, according to the release.

The vehicle was returned to its owner by 6 p.m. once the investigation was complete, deputies said.

EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. A rancher in Eagle County said one of her employees shot and killed a female wolf in the King Mountain Pack this past March.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is leading the investigation into the wolf's death, which they announced on March 14.

"Since the introduction of gray wolves into Colorado in 2023, my life and that of all my neighbors has become, quite literally, a living hell," fourth-generation rancher Susan Nottingham wrote in a public submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is dated April 7.

She said that she owns and operates one of the largest cattle ranches in the state, which spans 20,000 acres of privately owned habitat in the Burns area for elk, moose, bighorn sheep and other wildlife. She said they coexisted until the King Mountain Pack formed nearby in 2025.

In the public document, Nottingham wrote that she suspected several wolf-related depredations, but they were not confirmed by CPW. She said she lost 60 calves in one year, which she equated to $180,000.

She wrote that after three confirmed depredations, she submitted an application for a chronic depredation lethal kill permit, which was denied "due to a CPW issue with a historic trash dump used by my outfitter during hunting season." An appeal was also denied.

"One of my employees ended up shooting the mother female," Nottingham wrote. "The investigation is still ongoing and extremely stressful, costing me tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees to protect myself and my employee from facing criminal charges."

The exact circumstances around the shooting are not yet known.

Denver7 has been following Colorado's wolf reintroduction program since the very beginning, and you can explore all of that reporting in the timeline below, which starts with our most recent story.

Luke Perkins, public information officer with CPW, told Denver7 on Tuesday that because there is an ongoing investigation, there is little information that the agency can release beyond what it shared publicly in March when the wolf died.

That press release came out on March 13, saying that the GPS collar on the maternal member or leading female of the King Mountain Pack had issued a mortality signal in northwest Colorado.

The death left the pack with neither parent wolf, as the male had died about a month prior during an operation to fit the animals with new GPS collars. In February, CPW confirmed the male had died of capture-related complications. CPW said it would monitor the year-old pups.

Currently, it is illegal to kill a gray wolf in Colorado and consequences include a multi-thousand-dollar fine or imprisonment for a year, or both. A few specific instances that serve as exceptions for members of the public:

Nottingham ended her public submission by writing: "This is also an incredibly cruel situation for the animals involved. The wolves are not at fault; they simply do not belong here and cannot survive. Meanwhile, the emotional and financial stress on ranchers is immense and ongoing."