6 Active Wildfires Burning Across Colorado

As wildfires rage across the western U.S., Colorado is now battling six major wildfires, with the Deer Creek Fire crossing over from Utah on July 14 and triggering part of the state’s official disaster declaration. In total, these fires have scorched nearly 15,000 acres across Colorado’s western slope.

Wildfire Conditions & Forecast

Conditions remain hot and dry, with lightning and thunderstorms expected later this week — a mix that could worsen fire behavior. Here’s where each fire stands as of July 15:

South Rim Fire (Black Canyon of the Gunnison)

Size: 3,988 acres
Containment: 0%
Location: Near Montrose
Status: Crews are working to build direct firelines and set up sprinklers around key structures, especially on the western and southern edges.
🗓️ Community meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. July 15 at Grace Community Church in Montrose.

Deer Creek Fire

Size: 12,906 acres
Containment: 7%
Location: Near Paradox, came from Utah
Update: Fire grew by 3,000 acres in one day; included in the July 13 disaster declaration by Gov. Jared Polis.

Sowbelly Fire

Size: 2,274 acres
Containment: 0%
Location: Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area (Mesa, Montrose & Delta counties)
Status: Held steady overnight with 70+ personnel on the scene. Activity focused in the northeast.

Turner Gulch Fire

Size: 8,140 acres
Containment: Not yet released
Update: Grew from 1,500 to 8,140 acres in a single night.
🔄 Now under command of the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team.

Wright Draw Fire

Size: Part of 8,300+ acres combined with Turner Gulch
Status: Limited individual updates; grouped with Turner Gulch due to close proximity and overlapping response teams.

Airport Fire (Douglas County)

Size: 130 acres
Containment: 90%
Status: Holding steady; cause still under investigation. No major flare-ups expected.

Stay Updated

Track these fires with the Coloradoan’s real-time wildfire map [link not provided here] to monitor updates, containment efforts, and evacuation alerts.

🔔 Reminder: Stay informed through your local emergency management services, especially if you’re near affected areas.

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