Hinsdale, CO · Undetermined
Crews have this fire 73% contained. Nearby public lands are likely open, but check for lingering closures.
7,257
Acres Burned
78
Days Burning
Jul 9, 2026
Discovered
3w ago
Last Update
12 public land units within 75 miles
Uncompahgre Wilderness
AvoidWilderness / CO
7.2 mi
W
Powderhorn Wilderness
Check firstWilderness / CO
11.2 mi
E
Powderhorn Wilderness Area
Check firstWilderness / CO
11.4 mi
E
Uncompahgre Wilderness Area
AvoidWilderness / CO
14.4 mi
SW
Curecanti National Recreation AreaClosures in effect
Check firstRecreation Area / CO
23.9 mi
N
La Garita Wilderness
Check firstWilderness / CO
26.9 mi
SE
Mount Sneffels Wilderness
Check firstWilderness / CO
29.3 mi
W
Molas Pass Recreation Area National Recreation Area
Check firstRecreation Area / CO
31.2 mi
SW
Weminuche Wilderness
Check firstWilderness / CO
35.9 mi
S
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Check firstNational Park / CO
37.3 mi
NW
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness Area
Check firstWilderness / CO
38.5 mi
NW
Lizard Head Wilderness
Check firstWilderness / CO
40.9 mi
SW
Closures and dangers published by the National Park Service
Danger / Curecanti National Recreation Area
Toxic Algae Found – Blue Mesa Water Quality Advisory
Cyanotoxins are currently present in the Iola Basin. Until further notice, the park recommends that no person or pet swims in, or drinks from, reservoir waters in the Iola Basin. Cyanotoxins may be present in the Cebolla and Sapinero Basins...
Official noticePosted by the incident management team on InciWeb, plus changes read from NIFC interagency perimeter data
Per interagency perimeter data, the Elk containment moved from 66% to 73%.
IRWINFire Update: Elk Fire Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t) Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 64% | Total Personnel : 96 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO Special Message: Lake City, we felt your support. The conversations, the coffees, the sig...
InciWebFire Update: Elk Fire Monday, August 31, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t) Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 66% | Total Personnel : 101 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO Special Message : Recent rainfall over burned slopes increases the risk of debris flows and...
InciWebPer interagency perimeter data, the Elk containment moved from 64% to 66%.
IRWINFire Update: Elk Fire Sunday, August 30, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t) Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 64% | Total Personnel : 104 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO Special Message : Hunting seasons opening around the Elk Fire beginning September 2nd, with...
InciWebPer interagency perimeter data, the Elk containment moved from 52% to 64%.
IRWINFire Update: Elk Fire Saturday, August 29, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t) Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 52% | Total Personnel : 105 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO Special Message : Hinsdale County and the GMUG National Forest are still in Stage 1 fire ...
InciWebFire 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 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 Special Message: With Labor Day approaching, this brings more tr...
InciWebPer interagency perimeter data, the Elk containment moved from 46% to 52%.
IRWINFire Update: Elk FireThursday, August 27, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDTWyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t)Phone: 970-299-5357 (8 am – 5 pm)Email: 2026.elk@firenet.govSize: 7,257 acres | Containment: 46% | Total Personnel: 134 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City
InciWebFire Update: Elk Fire Thursday, August 27, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t) Phone: 970-299-5357 (8 am – 5 pm) Email: 2026.elk@firenet.gov Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 46% | Total Personnel : 134 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO Special Message : Your kind...
InciWebPer interagency perimeter data, the Elk containment moved from 33% to 46%.
IRWINFire Update: Elk Fire Wednesday, August 26, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. MDT Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t) Phone (public and media inquiries): 970-299-5357 Email: 2026.elk@firenet.gov Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 33% | Total Personnel: 146 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO Special Mess...
InciWebElk Fire Publication Type: Closures - 08/25/2026 - 11:00 Forest Service reduces Gold Mountain and Elk Fire closure areas (Delta, CO, August 25, 2026) — The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests have reduced previously established closure areas associated with the Gold Mountain and Elk wildfires. Updated closure boundaries went into effect August 24 at 5 p.m. and remain in pl...
InciWebFire Update: Elk Fire Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - 8:00 a.m. MDT Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 Karsten Milek IC3, Geoffery Harrison IC3(t) Phone (public and media inquiries): 970-299-5357 Email: 2026.elk@firenet.gov Size: 7,257 acres | Containment: 33% | Total Personnel : 158 | Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 9, 2026 | Location: Point of origin 7 miles NW of Lake City, CO Special Messa...
InciWeb78 days since discovery
5 additional active fires
Data Sources
Fire data from NIFC Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Services (WFIGS) via IRWIN. Satellite hotspots from NASA FIRMS VIIRS. Situation updates are either posted by the incident management team on InciWeb or read by us from WFIGS perimeter data, and each one says which. Air quality data from EPA AirNow. Public lands boundaries from USGS PAD-US 4.0.
IRWIN ID: 48a23460-97e0-47b3-bda1-be5b747a0b24
Important
More Than Just Parks aggregates third-party data from EPA AirNow, NOAA, NASA FIRMS, and NIFC/WFIGS. Readings can be delayed, estimated, incomplete, or wrong, and conditions on the ground change quickly. This tool is for general information only and is not a substitute for official air quality alerts, fire and evacuation orders, land manager closures, or emergency services. Verify with the managing agency and local authorities before making any travel, health, or safety decision. We make no warranty as to accuracy and accept no liability for decisions made using this information. This is not an emergency or evacuation tool. If you are near a fire, follow official evacuation orders and call 911. Terms of Service.