Red Mountain Pass is open again—barely. After a wildfire shut down a key stretch of U.S. Highway 550 in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains over the weekend, emergency crews have managed to carve out a safe path for alternating traffic as flames continue to smolder nearby.

Travelers are being urged to slow down, stay alert, and consider alternate routes if they can. It’s open, but far from normal.

Fire Started Fast, Closed Pass Within Hours

The blaze started just before 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 22.

Within minutes, smoke curled up through thick pine. The wind wasn’t helping.
And neither was the location.

Red Mountain Pass sits at 11,000 feet, winding its way between Ouray and Silverton. The roads are tight. Shoulders? Minimal. When fire hits here, everything gets more complicated.

Authorities quickly shut down the pass between Engineer Pass and the Snow Gate at Ironton Park, cutting off a vital scenic corridor.

Reopening Brings Relief—and Risk

By 2:40 p.m. Monday, just over 24 hours later, the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the pass had reopened.

But not fully.

Traffic is being alternated one lane at a time, monitored by crews on site. Smoke is still visible. The fire hasn’t been declared contained.

Officials said in a statement:
“We ask travelers to use extreme caution, and if possible, avoid the area altogether while emergency personnel are still working.”

One short sentence.
But a loaded one.

Ouray Locals: “We’re Kinda Used to This… But Still Scary”

This isn’t the first time fire has threatened Red Mountain.

“It’s always the same. You think, ‘It won’t get that bad,’ and then boom—the whole pass is shut,” said Jake LaMontagne, a local mechanic in Ouray.

He added that this summer had been unusually dry already, and folks had been bracing for something like this.

“You feel it in your bones,” he said. “Even the trees feel brittle.”

Still, the speed of the closure caught many off guard. Several RVs, tourists in Jeeps, and cyclists were stuck waiting hours on both sides Sunday.

Table: Timeline of Red Mountain Pass Fire Closure & Reopening

Firefighters have continued to work along both sides of the road, some from the shoulders, some cutting into the hills.

The precise cause of the fire hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Travelers Told to Avoid the Area—But Some Can’t

Though the sheriff’s office is urging drivers to steer clear if they can, the reality is not everyone has that luxury.

This stretch of Highway 550 is a lifeline, especially in summer when the region sees a flood of hikers, campers, and tourists headed to the San Juans.

One woman driving from Durango to Montrose told local reporters:
“I had a reservation at a campground. I waited five hours at the closure line Sunday and then had to backtrack almost three hours through Telluride. It was exhausting.”

Locals say it’s the price of living in the mountains.
Beautiful, yes. Predictable? Not really.

Not the First, Won’t Be the Last

Wildfires near Red Mountain aren’t new. Just last year, the Cow Creek Fire came within miles of the same stretch of road. In 2018, smoke from the 416 Fire near Durango blew over the ridges and prompted partial closures.

And while this weekend’s fire hasn’t been named yet, residents fear it could be a long one.

“We’ve got wind, heat, and no rain. That’s a bad combo,” said a volunteer firefighter who had just finished a 12-hour shift and asked not to be named. “We knocked it back from the road, but that doesn’t mean it’s over.”

One-Lane Traffic Could Last Days

The current setup—alternating lanes with flaggers—is a temporary fix. It works for now, but if conditions shift or the fire grows, the road could close again with little warning.

Crews will continue to monitor hotspots, clear debris, and maintain visibility. Any flare-up could mean another full shutdown.

Drivers are being reminded to:

• Keep headlights on

• Obey flaggers immediately

• Avoid stopping or taking photos

• Be prepared for sudden delays

Fire’s Cause Still Under Investigation

No lightning strikes were reported in the area that afternoon, leading some to suspect a human cause. Whether that’s a tossed cigarette, a smoldering campfire, or even an overheated engine—officials aren’t saying yet.

The U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Division of Fire Prevention are both assisting in the investigation.

Until they know more, everyone’s on alert.