Fire Update: Elk Fire
Friday, August 28, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT
Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2
Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t)
Email: 2026.elk@firenet.gov
Special Message: With Labor Day approaching, this brings more travelers, hunters, and recreationalists into the area, traffic is increasing on Highway 149 and surrounding forest roads. Firefighters and heavy equipment are moving through tight and blind sections, so drivers should slow down, stay alert, and give crews plenty of space. Several high-use destinations are now open, including Nellie Creek Road and Trailhead, Uncompahgre Peak and its trail, and Wetterhorn and Matterhorn Peaks, all accessible from the south and east and outside the adjusted closure footprint. Visitors heading to these areas should expect variable road conditions, remain aware of active fire operations, and review the updated closure order and maps before traveling. See the updated Forest Closure information at the bottom of this update.
Current Situation: Today marks 50 days on the Elk Fire, and a brief break in the weather over the next few days is giving crews a window to follow up on recent UAS reconnaissance and move into the drier pockets where heat continues to appear.
Crews will be working in High Bridge Gulch today, using direct extinguishment strategy to engage active hot spots and areas of duff to halt spread. They are also scouting Independence Gulch for opportunities to apply the same strategy, identifying locations where direct extinguishment can be safely and effectively carried out. Along the southern edge of the fire’s footprint, firefighters will continue building and strengthening containment lines, applying direct extinguishment when weather conditions allow.
In both gulches, lingering heat is often found beneath the duff layer, the soft mix of needles, leaves, and decomposed material that blankets the forest floor. Even when the surface appears cool, heat can remain several inches below, smoldering quietly out of sight. Firefighters pull back this layer, expose the heat, and apply water as part of the direct extinguishment strategy to ensure it is fully out. Addressing these pockets is important; they can persist for days and may creep or flare when conditions dry out again.
Yesterday along Road 868, firefighters continued structure assessments, confirmed equipment needs, and began backhauling items no longer required. Backhaul will include retrieving hose, pumps, tanks, fittings, signage, flagging, and excess supplies from areas where work has wrapped up. Once a section is secure, crews pull, clean, and transport equipment out of the forest restoring the area and returning gear to the cache for future incidents.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Today is expected to be the warmest and driest day over the Elk Fire, and the recent stretch of drying could produce some moderate fire behavior in some areas. With the warm temperatures today, small pockets of interior smoke may be visible as warm temperatures, and afternoon winds interact with remaining heat.
Beginning tomorrow, the pattern shifts back toward regular thunderstorms and periods of precipitation across the incident. While this moisture may help moderate fire activity at times, the potential for lightning and gusty outflow winds means crews will remain alert for any new starts or developing areas of concern.
Hunting Information: Hunters with questions about access in Game Management Unit (GMU) 66 can contact
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Gunnison Office by calling 970-641-7060 or visiting 200 S. Spruce St., Gunnison, CO 81230.
Closure Orders: Closure orders are still in effect throughout areas of the Elk Fire. For current Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests information
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Gunnison Field Office closures
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. IF YOU FLY WE CAN’T! For more information on safe drone operations
Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 52% | Total Personnel: 122 | Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO
