Fire breaks out in Parachute, draws multi-agency response

A potentially dangerous brush fire in Parachute, Colorado, was fully contained Monday evening following a rapid, coordinated response from multiple firefighting units and law enforcement agencies across the region.

The Grand Valley Fire Protection District received a call reporting the fire at approximately 4:38 p.m. on April 21. Within minutes, emergency personnel were deployed to the scene. They were soon joined by additional crews from the De Beque Fire Department, Rifle Fire Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), and the Parachute Police Department.

Though the flames were quickly subdued, crews remained on site through the evening and into Tuesday to manage lingering hot spots.

Pre-evacuation orders lifted as fire contained by nightfall

Local residents near the fire zone were placed under pre-evacuation orders shortly after the blaze began, as gusty conditions and dry vegetation raised concerns about the fire spreading to nearby homes or businesses.

By 8:30 p.m., officials lifted the alert, confirming that the fire had been 100% contained and no structures were threatened.

“We were fortunate. The wind died down, our crews acted fast, and support from our neighboring agencies was critical,” said a spokesperson from Grand Valley Fire.

No injuries were reported. The fire burned through a section of brushland outside the town of Parachute but did not cause structural damage.

Map: Where the fire occurred

Location: Parachute, Garfield County, Western Colorado
Time of Incident: April 21, 2025, around 4:38 p.m.
Agencies Involved:

• Grand Valley Fire Protection District

• De Beque Fire Department

• Rifle Fire Department

• Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

• Parachute Police Department

Cause still under investigation

As of Wednesday morning, investigators had not determined the origin of the fire. Officials say they are exploring both natural and human causes.

Garfield County has experienced an increase in brush fire activity in recent weeks, likely tied to unseasonably dry weather and rising temperatures. In a typical year, western Colorado sees higher fire risk beginning in late May. But this spring’s conditions have accelerated that timeline.

Possible causes under review:

• Improper disposal of smoking materials

• Illegal burn piles or debris burning

• Equipment sparks from nearby construction

• Natural ignition from dry grass and wind friction

Officials have not confirmed whether any of these possibilities are suspected in the Parachute fire.

Crews in mop-up mode, continue to monitor flare-up risk

While the fire is contained, crews remained on the scene through Tuesday and into Wednesday to conduct “mop-up operations” — a standard phase of wildfire response that includes:

• Extinguishing smoldering roots and stumps

• Monitoring logs and brush piles for flare-ups

• Ensuring the fire perimeter stays secure in shifting weather

“With dry conditions persisting, the threat doesn’t go away once the flames are out,” said a fire operations official.

Residents in the area have been asked to remain vigilant, report any smoke or suspicious activity, and avoid the burned zone until further notice.

Fire risk remains high across western Colorado

This incident comes amid growing concern among state and local fire agencies about the 2025 fire season.

Recent data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) places much of western Colorado in “moderate to high” fire risk zones, particularly where vegetation has dried prematurely due to lack of spring moisture.

The Parachute fire may be a sign of what’s to come.

Officials praise coordination, urge public caution

Despite the unknown cause, officials have praised the swift cross-agency collaboration, which helped prevent what could have been a much more destructive fire.

“Timely coordination, shared resources, and proactive evacuations worked exactly as they should,” said a GCSO deputy. “But we want the public to know — every brush fire has the potential to become a wildfire. Prevention and awareness are everything.”

Fire officials are urging residents throughout Garfield County to:

• Refrain from open burning

• Keep yards and fields clear of dry debris

• Report any signs of smoke or illegal burning

• Prepare for evacuation protocols in case of future incidents