OURAY COUNTY, Colo. — Evacuation orders have been issued for areas of Ouray County, and a portion of U.S. Route 550 is closed due to a wildfire that was first reported on Saturday.
The Gold Mountain Fire was last estimated at 4,276 acres and stands at 0% containment, according to Ouray County Monday morning. It was caused by a tree falling on a power line on private land.
The Gold Mountain Fire has prompted mandatory evacuations are in place for Lake Lenore, Panoramic Heights, Redstone Road, Peck’s Trailer Park, and nearby areas, according to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office. A pre-evacuation zone extends from Whispering Pines to Black Lake. An evacuation center has been established at the Ridgway Secondary School, 1200 Green Street.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis authorized the use of the state national guard to support fire response efforts.
While officials have said no injuries or structure losses have been reported so far from the Gold Mountain Fire, it remains unclear exactly how many homes fall within the evacuation zone.
As the fire expands, the blaze has forced the Colorado Department of Transportation to shut down a two-mile stretch of U.S. Route 550 just north of Ouray, prompting the closure of the town's popular hot springs pool.
In addition, city officials report limited cell service due to a potentially fire‑damaged tower; a mobile replacement is expected soon.
To bolster the response, state and federal resources — including Type I hotshots, multiple engines, air tankers and helicopters — have been ordered, according to Ouray County.
Firefighters said steep terrain and shifting winds are complicating suppression efforts, with more fire activity expected Monday.
The exact cause of the Gold Mountain Fire is not known at this time.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for several Western Slope counties, including Ouray County, on Sunday due to extreme wildfire conditions. Rapid fire growth in the Gold Mountain Fire is likely.
The Ouray County fire is one of multiple wildfires burning on the Western Slope, including the Snyder Mesa Fire in Mesa County and the Ferris Fire in Dolores County, where fire activity has intensified.
Colorado's fire danger is greater this year because of the state's record-low snowpack and its warmest winter on record. Much of the West is grappling with similar conditions, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
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