A wall of smoke and flame now threatens communities in Montrose, Delta, and Mesa counties, prompting Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis to issue a verbal disaster declaration to rush help to the fire lines.
Fires Spread, Park Evacuated, Communities on Edge
The South Rim Fire in Montrose County has exploded to 3,556 acres with zero containment — forcing the complete evacuation and closure of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Rangers and deputies went door to door, urging visitors to leave immediately as smoke turned daylight to dusk.
Meanwhile, the Sowbelly Fire continues its march through the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area across Delta and Mesa counties. Fire officials estimate it’s already scorched 2,251 acres. Again, zero containment.
One sentence, but it says enough: Another blaze northeast of Gateway is chewing up 512 acres, with evacuations along Highway 141 from Mile Markers 120 to 124.
Mobilizing All Hands on Deck
Governor Polis’ declaration kicks the State Emergency Operations and Resource Mobilization Plans into gear — basically calling in every available hand, tool, and tanker.
A statement from the governor’s office laid it out: the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is now coordinating boots on the ground, trucks on the road, and eyes in the sky through its State Emergency Operations Center.
Here’s what that means in real terms:
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DHSEM field teams are backing up local emergency managers
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The Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is leading the charge on suppression
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Other state divisions are ready to pitch in however needed
One exhausted firefighter near Montrose summed it up: “It’s gonna take all of us, and maybe some luck from the weather, too.”
Local Residents Brace for the Worst
People living along the fire corridors are packing bags, watering down lawns, and hoping the wind shifts. A family near Gateway loaded goats and chickens onto a trailer at midnight when the evacuation notice came through.
One woman stood by her pickup, watching the distant glow on the ridgeline. “We’ve done this before,” she said quietly. “Doesn’t get easier.”
This part of Colorado knows wildfire all too well, but the triple punch — South Rim, Sowbelly, and the Gateway area — has folks rattled.
A man in Delta County said his grandparents’ ranch was in the line of the Sowbelly Fire. “If it jumps the canyon, they’re gonna lose everything.”
What Makes This Season So Dangerous?
Western Colorado’s forests and canyons are no strangers to dry summers, but this year’s mix of heat, wind, and drought has turned them into a tinderbox.
In 2024, Colorado reported one of its driest spring seasons in nearly two decades. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, over 70% of the western slope is experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions.
Take a look at recent stats:
| Fire Name | County | Acres Burned | Containment |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Rim | Montrose | 3,556 | 0% |
| Sowbelly | Delta/Mesa | 2,251 | 0% |
| Gateway Fire | Mesa (near Gateway) | 512 | 0% |
Winds gusting up to 25 mph don’t help — embers leap ridgelines in seconds. One spark turns into a mile-long problem before crews can catch their breath.
State and Local Response Under Pressure
Crews from across Colorado are arriving by the hour — from local volunteer departments to seasoned hotshot teams. Evacuation centers have popped up in churches and community halls.
One bullet point for clarity:
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The State Emergency Operations Center is on full alert, ready to pull resources statewide to keep firefighters supplied and residents safe.
DHSEM says its field staff will stay embedded with county emergency managers for as long as it takes. For some, that could mean weeks sleeping on cots in dusty fire stations.
Hope Hangs on Weather — and Neighbors
Late Sunday, fire behavior analysts said scattered rain might arrive midweek, but winds could shift unpredictably. Everyone’s hoping for more rain than gusts.
Volunteers have started donation drives for evacuees — bottled water, pet crates, fuel cards. One Montrose resident opened their barn for neighbors’ livestock.
One simple line: It’s the kind of neighborly grit that keeps these communities going.
Governor Polis has urged people statewide to stay alert and follow local evacuation orders immediately. Fire lines can turn on a dime — and as this disaster shows, nobody’s taking chances.
