Here is the latest update for the Elk Fire. Please sign up for text alerts and follow Hinsdale County, Colorado’s Facebook page for breaking updates.
UPDATE: Due to unexpected growth of the Elk Fire last night and forecasted winds this afternoon, Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Office has issued a GO EVACUATE NOW (RED) Evacuation Notice for two evacuation zones north and west of the Town of Lake City.
The zones are specifically WEST of Hwy 149, NORTH of Independence Gulch Trailhead to the County line, zones HNS-E002, HNS-E005.
EVACUATE this area immediately.
EVACUATION CENTER HAS BEEN OPENED AT THE LAKE CITY ARMORY, 230 N. Bluff Street, Lake City.
GO EVACUATE NOW (RED) means
– THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE DANGER
– Gather family, essentials and pets and LEAVE IMMEDIATELY
– If you need help, call 9-1-1
– ACT EARLY!
– Evacuate to the north toward Gunnison or south of Lake City.
The Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Office has also issued a GET SET (YELLOW) VOLUNTARY Evacuation Notice for three evacuation zones north of the Town of Lake City area due to the Elk Fire. The zones are specifically:
WEST of Hwy 149, NORTH of Independence Gulch Trailhead to the County line
EAST of Hwy 149, from the Valley View property to the County line.
The zones are HNS-E002, HNS-E005 AND HNS-E006.
THOSE LIVING IN THE YELLOW ZONES HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED IN PERSON AND WILL HAVE RECEIVED A SPECIAL ALERT.
All other zones in Hinsdale County remain in the GET READY or GREEN status.
The updated evacuation map can be found at the link below:
Exact boundaries and addresses can be found on the Evacuation Map, available here: https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=10.524131248991646&latlon=38.189885317861666%2C-107.20766635760157. Property owners can search for their property’s location in the search bar.
Review the map now to get familiar with your zone.
GET SET (YELLOW) means:
– If you need additional time to evacuate, consider starting that process now
– Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice
– Alert family, neighbors and elderly
– Stay updated on roads, weather and fire conditions.
– Contact Silver Thread Public Health or Lake City Medical Center if you need assistance.
– Pre-stage essential belongings
– Make preparations inside and outside your home
– Prepare to evacuate if the if the situation escalates
– Consider evacuating those with mobility issues, pets and livestock
– IF YOU FEEL YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!
For information call 970-944-2225
If you need to evacuate livestock or large animals such as horses, cattle, goats, swine, sheep, the Gunnison County Fairgrounds, located at 275 South Spruce St, Gunnison, CO 81230, has been set up as an evacuation location. Call 970-641-7660 if you are bringing animals. Mandatory vet checks will be conducted on all animals entering.
Register for Hinsdale County Alerts to get emergency updates (https://hinsdale.genasys.com/portal/en).
Elk Fire 7.15.2026 Update
Acres: 574* Containment: 0%
Start Date: 7/9/2026
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber (litter and understory)
Resources: 241 total personnel, including 7 helicopters, 3 Type 2 IA crews, and 23 engines
Fire Information: (970) 299-5357
The Elk Fire, located north of Lake City, Colorado, has burned 574* acres in the Uncompahgre Wilderness and remains 0% contained. The incident is being managed by the Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 1.
*Updated acreage is not available at this time. A requested high-elevation infrared (IR) flight has been unable to be completed for the past three days due to aircraft availability and weather conditions. Today, a Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) is expected to complete an infrared flight, providing updated mapping information and a more accurate estimate of fire size. That information will be shared as soon as it’s available.
Yesterday, the fire was more active, with growth primarily to the east and south as gusty winds from thunderstorm cells impacted the fire area. Torching, spotting, and active fire spread occurred through heavy dead and down timber. A prominent smoke plume was very visible over the fire. Fire behavior remained moderate overnight, with continued smoldering and isolated torching.
The fire continues to burn in remote, rugged wilderness terrain.
Due to the fire’s location, the inability to safely access it by ground, and the high risk associated with emergency extraction or medical evacuation, firefighters are using indirect suppression tactics around the perimeter of the fire. These tactics allow crews to work safely while establishing a secure containment footprint. Natural barriers, roads, and other strategic landscape features are being used to build fireline and protect values at risk. Firefighter safety remains the top priority.
Today:
- Divisions Alpha and Charlie will assess opportunities to reinforce indirect fireline to protect values at risk.
- Division X-Ray will coordinate with aircraft to moderate fire behavior and limit fire spread. Firefighters will continue installing hose lay to support suppression efforts and help hold established containment lines.
- The Structure Protection Group, comprised primarily of engine crews, will continue structure assessments and protection efforts along Highway 149.
- Night Operations will assess fire activity along Highway 149, near and around critical infrastructure and structures.
Thunderstorms are expected again late this morning through the evening, bringing the potential for outflow winds exceeding 45 mph. Outside of thunderstorm activity, light winds with afternoon and early evening gusts up to 18 mph are expected. Temperatures will be near 70°F, with relative humidity in the low 20% range.
Closures and Evacuations:
Forest Service Road 7868 (Alpine Road) remains closed to the public due to fire operations. Some public maps display the route as Road 868.
Highway 149 remains open, but motorists should expect increased firefighter traffic and a reduced speed limit through the incident area. Please slow down, stay alert, and use caution when traveling through the area. Smoke impacts are likely as the evening brings inversion into the valley bottoms.
PLEASE DO NOT STOP AT THE OPERATIONS SITE ALONG HWY 149 FOR ANY REASON.
Residents should follow the Hinsdale County Facebook page for the latest evacuation and emergency information and sign up to receive emergency notifications through the Hinsdale County Emergency Management website.
Evacuation zone GNN-220 in southern Gunnison County remains in pre-evacuation status. This includes properties along Highway 149 north of the Hinsdale County line, south of the Whinnery Ranch gravel pit, and extending east and west to the National Forest boundaries. Updated evacuation information for Gunnison County is available at emergency.gunnisoncounty.org/elk-fire.
STAY INFORMED: Residents are encouraged to stay informed, as evacuation statuses can change rapidly.
No Drone Zone: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in effect. Flying drones near the fire is prohibited and can interfere with firefighting aircraft, potentially grounding aerial suppression operations.
A fire information line has been established and will be staffed daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. That number is (970) 299-5357. Fire updates will provided daily through email and on the Hinsdale County Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hinsdalecountycolorado/ and Lake City locals Facebook page. The GMUG Forest Service Facebook page will also contain updates.
