Elk Fire Update – 08/04/2026

Fire Update – Elk Fire
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1
Justin Conrad, Incident Commander
Information Phone: 970-299-5357
Email: 2026.elk@firenet.gov
Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Current Situation: Managers on the Elk Fire are using a full suppression strategy. Due to inaccessibility of much of the fire area, managers have elected to use indirect confinement which provides for firefighter and public safety while focusing on creating firelines that will protect values from advancing fire. On the southeast flank, activity increased due to the return of hot and dry weather. This increase in activity was not unexpected. This part of the fire is expected to continue to show increased smoke and burning but shouldn’t present a threat to values at risk.

In Division A, along Hwy 149, engines will continue to patrol the established indirect fireline. Although water handling equipment has been removed from around structures along the highway corridor, it remains near the fire area in the event it is needed if extended hot, dry weather increases fire activity. Suppression repair work continues along the dozerline north of the fire near Elk Creek and along Alpine Road. Division X continues to remain unstaffed.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Chances of isolated showers or thunderstorms are possible late in the morning with 10-15 mph winds projected west to northwest possibly gusting to around 25 mph. Warm and dry air will continue to remain in the area.

Evacuations: Current evacuation information is available for Hinsdale County at hinsdalecounty.colorado.gov.
Closures: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests closure information is available at fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Uncompahgre Field Office closures can be found at blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district.

No Fly Zone: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Gold Mountain and Elk Fire areas is in effect. Flying drones near the fire is prohibited and can interfere with firefighting aircraft, potentially grounding aerial suppression operations. For more information on flight restrictions, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Fire Statistics:
Size: 2,406 acres
Containment: 47%
Total Personnel: 33
Location: 7 Miles NW of Lake City, CO
Reported: July 9, 2026
Cause: Lightning

For More Information:
Information Phone: 970-299-5357
Email: 2026.elk@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2026elkfire
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/cogmf-elk-fire
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/2026ElkPublic