Fire Update: Elk Fire
Monday, August 17, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2
Incident Commander Rodney Redinger
Phone (public and media inquiries): 970-299-5357
Email: 2026.elk@firenet.gov
Special Message: The Elk Fire has not seen significant growth over the past week under moderated fire weather conditions. This has given crews a chance to construct direct hand and dozer lines where they can safely engage.
Current Situation: In Division A along the fire’s northern perimeter, a hand crew is extending direct fireline north and west from the private land into High Bridge Creek to tie the line in with the contained section along the fire’s northern perimeter. This effort will take several days’ more work to construct the line and mop up areas of heat found near the fire’s edge. Engine crews working along the Highway 149 corridor are closely tracking the fire’s progress as it backs down slope through a timber stringer in Independence Gulch and constructing direct fireline in terrain where it is safe to do so.
In Division G, firefighters are making excellent progress on establishing firelines along the southern edge of the Elk Fire. Completion of the mixed dozer and hand line along the fire’s southeastern edge above Lake City is a great step toward securing that community from the Elk Fire. Crews will continue to improve the line and mop up heat near the fire’s edge before the area is called contained. Firefighters are confident that the water pipeline along Larson Creek is well secured.
In Divisions M and J, the west side of Elk Fire has little opportunity for growth, where it has encountered rock cliffs, scree fields, and less receptive fuels. In that direction, there are not values at risk that would justify the risk of exposure to firefighters in steep, rocky, remote terrain. Recent infrared imaging indicates scattered heat along this edge, but not intensely hot spots. Fire in that area may continue to consume logs and other surface fuels where fuels, terrain, and weather align to favor fire growth.
Logs and fallen branches on the forest floor are smoldering and holding heat that can be reignited during windy, hot, or dry conditions. Interior smoke will periodically be visible over the coming months as pockets of heat continue to burn within the fire perimeter, consuming available fuels.
Weather and Fire Behavior: A few verga showers were observed to the east and west of the fire area yesterday. Conditions were warmer and drier with minimum relative humidity in the high teens, recovering to around 50% overnight. Today will bring similar conditions, with RH in the upper teens again and highs in the 70s to 80s, depending on elevation, and slight chance of showers with some lightning possible over the next few days.
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, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts/elk-wildfire-area-closure-order-v-20. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Gunnison Field Office closures can be found at: https://www.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. IF YOU FLY WE CAN’T! For more information on safe drone operations, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org. For information on the TFR visit https://tfr.faa.gov.
Size: 7,374 acres | Containment: 35 % | Total Personnel: 253 | Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO
