Colorado's Gold Mountain Fire: 25 Stunning New Photos

We knew the 2026 wildfire season could be awful, and we were right. If you think it's hard to keep track of all the fires burning statewide, you are not alone.

Two wildfires that have the attention of Coloradans from Grand Junction to Montrose include the Gold Mountain and Elk fires. Keep scrolling for updates, and 25 incredible photos of what is already an unprecedented season.

Get our free mobile app

Gold Mountain Fire Remains One of Colorado's Largest Active Fires

See the Colorado Gold Mountain Fire Photos You Sent Us — Karen Henderson KKXK Facebook

The Gold Mountain Fire is now at 38,000 acres, remains 13% contained, and has 992 personnel in place. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 is in command of the incident, working in areas such as Cimarron Ridge, Owl Creek Pass, and Cow Creek. Here’s a look at 25 incredible images the team has captured while fighting this fire since June 27, 2026.

25 Colorado Fire Photos: Gold Mountain Battle Reaches Week Three

Wildland firefighters continue working around the clock in some of Western Colorado's steepest and most rugged terrain as the Gold Mountain Fire burns through the Cimarron Range. These photos offer a closer look at the crews, aircraft, and challenging conditions that are part of the firefight.

Elk Fire Continues to Challenge Fire Crews

Colorado Elk Fire Forces New Closures in Hinsdale County — Elk Fire: U.S. Forest Service-Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests

The Elk Fire is burning in the Uncompahgre Wilderness north of Lake City, approximately 2.5 to 3.5 miles west of Highway 149 and about 7 miles northwest of Lake City. The fire is 25 miles east of the Gold Mountain Fire, placing two major incidents within the same region of the San Juan Mountains.

Firefighters and crews will likely be visible on Hinsdale County Roads 20 and 23 (Nellie Creek) as they work around the Elk Creek fire.

Two Track Fire: The New Fire Western Colorado Is Watching

Grand Junction Storms Help Spark New Wildfires Nearby — Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Via Facebook

The 84-acre Two Track Fire was reported in remote western Mesa County about 11 miles north of Gateway, 7.7 miles northwest of Highway 141 (Mile Marker 119), and 3 miles east of the Utah state line. The fire was burning not far from last summer's 466-acre Wright Draw Fire. Watch Duty updated this fire to 100% contained on Sunday.

The Haystack Fire, Lost Horse Fire, and the nearby Bear Canyon Fire are all new listings on the Watch Duty maps for Mesa County from the weekend.

KEEP GOING: See Stunning Photos of Colorado's Snyder Mesa Fire

Throughout the Snyder Mesa Fire, Grand Valley listeners shared photos showing towering smoke columns, glowing ridgelines, aircraft battling the flames, and the wildfire's impact on communities west of Grand Junction.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams