Social Media, Evacuation and Closure Information: https://linktr.ee/2026ElkPublic
Acres: 2,310– Containment: 0% – Detection: 07/09/26 – Cause: Lightning – Personnel: 350 Location: 7 miles northwest of Lake City, Colorado
Operational Update: Weather hindered operations on Friday afternoon. Crews used a masticator and chippers to improve the fireline by mulching vegetation on Road 868. Similar operations occurred on Nellie Creek where crews are strengthening the fireline by removing available fuels along dozer line edge. Structure protection efforts are almost complete.
Today: Firefighters will continue to improve and strengthen control lines by using masticators and chippers to clear out vegetation along dozer lines around the Elk Fire. Structure protection groups will inventory and assess existing structure protection measures and assist with chipping operations. Firefighters will continue to observe the fire for any changes in fire behavior.
Roads: Drivers are asked to slow down in the reduced speed limit area of Highway 149 where firefighter traffic remains high. The Alpine Loop is open and there are no closures on County Road 30 (Cinnamon Pass) where trails and campgrounds remain open.
Weather: There is a 60% potential for showers with thunderstorms in the late morning and afternoon. Valley temperatures will be 83°-86° and 70°-73° in the fire footprint, with winds 5-10 mph, and afternoon gusts 15-20 mph.
Evacuations: Current evacuation information is available at the links below:
Hinsdale County: https;//hinsdalecounty.colorado.gov
Gunnison County: https://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/elk-fire. To sign up and receive emergency alerts for Gunnison County visit: https://emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/preparedness/sign-up/
Closures: The National Forest has implemented an area closure west of Highway 149 and north of County Road 20 in Hinsdale and Gunnison Counties. For further information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has implemented a temporary emergency closure for public lands, roads and trails north of County Road 20 (Engineer Pass). The closure includes Nellie Creek, the Uncom-pahgre Trailhead and the upper portion of County Road 24 (North Henson) from Capitol City to the Wetterhorn and Matterhorn areas. For further information visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district
Road Closures: Forest Service Road 7868 (Alpine Road) remains closed. Some public maps display the route as Road 868. Forest Service roads 877 (Nellie Creek) and 870 (Matterhorn Trailheads) to the north are closed.
No Fly Zone: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the area remains in effect. Flying drones near the fire is prohibited and can interfere with firefighting aircraft, potentially grounding aerial suppression operations. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
