A stubborn wildfire that ignited near Redvale, Colorado, over the weekend has kept local crews and federal agencies busy, but officials say they’ve now got it 90% under control.

No homes have been lost so far, though a Tesla Cybertruck and a towable wood chipper were consumed in the initial spark. What caused the blaze still puzzles investigators.

Flames Sparked in Coventry Hill

It all started Saturday, June 29, in the Coventry Hill area — four miles west of Norwood.
Local dispatchers first picked up calls about smoke just after midday. Within moments, the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a Tesla Cybertruck caught fire, setting off dry brush nearby.

Fire spread fast.
Redvale, with its arid scrubland, can be an unforgiving place for flames. Combine that with winds that change directions like a moody toddler, and you’ve got a problem.

Multi-Agency Response in Rough Terrain

First on the scene? San Miguel and Montrose County deputies.
They weren’t alone for long. Norwood Fire jumped in, then the cavalry: Bureau of Land Management crews, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers, Williams Construction, Naturita Fire, Paradox Fire, and the U.S. Forest Service.

It takes a village, they say — sometimes it takes a village of firefighters in full gear.

Thirty firefighters tackled the blaze at its peak. Some hiked rugged trails. Others manned heavy engines. Water tankers had to snake through narrow dirt roads.

They wrestled for hours to keep the flames from reaching nearby ranches.

How Bad Was It?

By Sunday morning, thick plumes of smoke curled above the Coventry Hill region. Residents in Redvale said the smell of charred timber hung heavy.

One local rancher, who asked to stay anonymous, said, “We were ready to grab the horses and head for the hills. You don’t mess around with fire out here.”

Thankfully, the flames never made that leap. But it was close.
No injuries have been reported, which officials call a blessing given the unpredictability.

Cybertruck Fire Adds to the Mystery

So why did the Tesla Cybertruck ignite?
Deputies don’t know yet. Some speculate electrical faults. Others whisper about the dry grass catching fire underneath. But nobody’s pointing fingers yet — at least not publicly.

Tesla hasn’t issued a statement. Neither has the wood chipper’s manufacturer.
What’s certain: The Cybertruck burned completely. Only its charred frame remains, an odd sight in the sagebrush.

• San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office said they’ll release more details once fire investigators wrap up the on-site inspection.

• Locals are being asked to avoid the area so crews can finish their work.

Weather: Friend or Foe?

Colorado summers are notorious for fickle weather.
Saturday’s gusty winds fed the fire at first. Then, oddly enough, cooler evening temps helped calm it down.

This gave exhausted firefighters a chance to build containment lines.
By 3:25 pm Sunday, the blaze was listed at 90% contained.

That last 10% can be the trickiest.
Hot spots like to hide under dead logs or smolder quietly in root systems. One stray ember, and you’re back to square one.

Who’s Watching Now

Monitoring continues.
Crews from the BLM and local fire districts are patrolling the burn area, keeping an eye out for flare-ups.

A small tent camp has been set up for the night crew. They’ll stay until the all-clear.

Here’s a quick look at who’s still on the ground:

That’s a big roster for a blaze that stayed relatively small in acreage.
Shows you how dry conditions can turn any spark into a potential disaster.

Residents Remain on Alert

For now, there’s no formal evacuation in Redvale or Norwood.
Still, locals have been told to stay prepared. A few families packed bags “just in case.”

Montrose County’s emergency services posted updates on social media throughout the weekend. Comments ranged from thanks for the swift response to frustrations about possible vehicle recalls.

One user wrote, “So is Tesla gonna pay for the fire?”
No answer yet. That’s one more piece of this puzzle.

Bigger Picture for Fire Season

It’s only June, but Colorado’s wildfire season is already heating up — literally and figuratively.

In 2024, the state saw nearly 1,200 wildfires. This year could be worse, experts warn, thanks to below-average rainfall and persistent drought in western Colorado.

Fire chiefs urge everyone to clear brush near homes, check fire breaks on property lines, and report suspicious smoke immediately.

A single spark from an ATV, campfire, or faulty battery can spread like gossip at a family reunion.

What Happens Next

The cause investigation will probably take weeks.
Insurance folks will come poking around. Tesla’s reps might too.

Meanwhile, the charred Cybertruck shell sits out there like a monument to modern worries: climate, technology, and how both can clash in unexpected ways.

By Monday morning, crews hope to get full containment. That final 10% depends on weather — and a bit of luck.