Aug. 4 updates
Final update (4pm): “Firefighters have concluded their work on the Coulter Creek Fire. The fire is 100% contained,” according to Carbondale Fire. “Firefighters will continue to patrol the fire area over the next few days to watch for any remaining hot spots or flare‑ups.”
County Road 113 is reopen.
The investigation into the cause is still underway, and more details should emerge in the coming days. It’s suspected, however, that “lightning in the area a few days before the fire started is believed to be the likely cause.”
10am update: The Coulter Creek Fire is at 107 acres and 20% contained.
Firefighters on scene today are tasked with constructing containment lines and cold trailing the fire to make sure it is completely out.
“Once cold trailing is complete, firefighters will be able to provide an updated containment number,” Carbondale Fire stated in a press release. Crews expect to achieve 100% containment today.
County Road 113 remains closed between County Road 100 and County Road 121, but is expected to open later today.
Aug. 3 updates
6pm update: The fire is still estimated at 115 acres with 0% containment, according to a press release from Carbondale Fire. Containment percentages indicate the perimeter of a fire that is not at risk of spreading.
“Firefighters will remain on scene overnight to monitor the fire,” the press release continued. “In the morning, crews will focus on cold trailing the fire. Cold trailing is a mop‑up technique used to ensure the fire is fully extinguished by carefully inspecting and feeling along the fire’s edge to detect any remaining heat or hot spots.”
No homes were lost and no injuries have been reported. But one outbuilding was destroyed by the fire.
“The cause is under investigation by Carbondale Fire’s investigation team, but is not believed to be suspicious,” read the press release.
“Firefighters on the ground worked aggressively to build fireline and protect homes while air crews made repeated water and retardant drops to slow the fire’s spread,” said Incident Commander Bill Gavette. “This was a true team effort. Ground crews worked with air crews attacking the fire from multiple angles. That coordinated response was key to stopping the Coulter Creek Fire.”
5pm update: All evacuation orders for the Coulter Creek Fire have been lifted — including the Panorama subdivision, residents east of County Road 100 to Upper Cattle Creek and the Ranch at Coulter Creek — according to the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District. Roads in the area will continue to be closed to non-local traffic.
4:30pm update: The fire is estimated to be at 115 acres.
3:45pm update: “There are threatened structures, although no homes have been lost so far,” Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District wrote on Facebook. “The fire is under control at 0% but the speed of spread has slowed thanks to coordinated efforts of ground brigades and air resources.”
The update continued, “Roads in the area have been closed so firefighters can work safely. Firefighters from multiple agencies are working together to contain the blaze.”
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2:30pm update: The is now estimated to be 80 acres. No new evacuations have been announced.
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Around 11am on Sunday, Aug. 3, Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD) responded a wildfire in the Missouri Heights area. Watch Duty, a nonprofit tracking wildfires, reported at that time: “Units are on scene of a wildfire in the Red Canyon Road and Coulter Creek Road area. Aerial resources have been requested, per Incident Command.”
CRFPD reported: “Upon arrival, firefighters found an active fire burning in grass, pine trees, juniper trees and sage, and spreading at high speed. The brigades immediately began extinction work from the ground, as air resources were deployed to assist.”
An evacuation order was issued by the Garfield County Sheriff for the Panorama Subdivision and homes east of County Road 100 to Upper Cattle Creek, and Ranch at Coulter Creek. Roaring Fork High School (2270 Highway 133) is the evacuation center.
As of 1pm, the fire had grown to around 40 acres. Stay up-to-date by following Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District on Facebook and/or Watch Duty. The Sopris Sun will be monitoring as the situation unfolds.
Alpine Equine Hospital is offering to help move livestock to safety. They can be reached at 970-366-1320.