GILPIN COUNTY — The Timberline Fire and Nederland Fire Stations continue to have the fire danger rated at "extreme” this week. Gilpin, Clear Creek, Grand, and Summit Counties are all in Stage 2 fire restrictions. Western Boulder County is in Stage 2 fire restrictions and eastern Boulder Country is in Stage 1 fire restrictions. Unincorporated Jefferson County (which includes the mountain areas) is in Stage 2 fire restrictions. 

On July 13 the Black Hawk Fire Department, Timberline Fire Protection District, and Black Hawk Police Department quickly extinguished a small wildfire in Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Open Space Park. The fire did not grow bigger than approximately one-tenth (0.1) of an acre. The cause is under investigation. 

Two people came upon the fire and worked to put it out. "The quick actions of these two individuals, combined with the coordinated response of our emergency services partners, helped keep this incident small," said Black Hawk Fire Chief Chris Woolley. "We're grateful for community members who stay vigilant and report potential hazards immediately."  

Large fires continue to burn in Colorado and in the western United States. The Willow Fire near Leadville, at the time of this report, has burned approximately 6,400 acres and is 29% contained. The cause is under investigation according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

The Aspen Acres fire impacting Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, and Huerfano Counties is at 99,077 acres. It is 36% contained at this time.  There are approximately 1, 872 personnel working on this fire according to the Alaska Complex Incident Management Team 1, who is the management team on this fire.

The Gold Mountain Fire is north of the town of Ouray, Colorado. It is in Montrose, Ouray, and Gunnison Counties. This fire is 12% contained and is at 36,788 acres. 

The Ferris Fire in the southwest corner of Colorado is in Dolores and Montezuma Counties. The fire is at 64,868 acres and is 29% contained. 

It is hot and it is dry. What can you do to help prevent a wildfire?

Be vigilant. If you see something, say something.

Get flammable materials out of your yard. Get the dead branches, low hanging branches, and dead trees to the slash yard.

Junipers are highly combustible. They are not easy to get out of our yards but it is worth the work. Wildfire Partners say “Junk the Junipers.” 

Doing these few things in your yard can help save your home and prevent the spread of wildfires.