Turner Gulch

Here is a current summary of the Turner Gulch Fire in Colorado, focusing on information from the last 72 hours. ## Turner Gulch Fire Report - July 28, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Turner Gulch Fire was discovered on Thursday, July 10, 2025, around 12:18 PM MDT, in Unaweep Canyon, approximately 8 miles northeast of Gateway, Colorado. **Size and Containment**: As of Monday, July 28, 2025, the fire has burned approximately 19,432 acres and is 54% contained. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is primarily burning through dormant brush, hardwood slash, and timber, including grass and understory. Over the past 72 hours, fire behavior has been described as moderate, with flanking, backing, and creeping. While significant growth has slowed, continued dry conditions and potential for active fire spread in steep canyons are expected. Continued burnouts on the southern perimeter are being conducted to bring the fire to control features. **Containment Efforts**: A Type 3 Incident Management Organization took command of the fire on July 28, 2025. Suppression repair is ongoing in contained areas. Firefighters are actively working on containment lines, including strategic firing operations in coniferous draws to remove fuels and aid containment. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Orders/Warnings**: As of July 27, 2025, all private lands in the Big Creek and Divide Forks Campground Evacuation Zones have been downgraded to PRE-EVACUATION status. Areas still in Pre-Evacuation Status include private inholdings in the Uncompahgre National Forest from Forest Road 406 to 409 (Cold Springs Evacuation Zone) and all private inholdings in the Ute Creek Evacuation area. **Evacuation Shelters and Information**: For real-time evacuation information, residents are advised to follow emergency alerts from the Mesa County Sheriff's Department. An interactive evacuation web map is available. Assistance for large animals can be sought by calling 970-778-0161. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** Highway 141 may experience rolling closures due to fire activity. The Bureau of Land Management has implemented temporary closures of certain public lands in Mesa County, in and south of Unaweep Canyon, to ensure public and firefighter safety. **For more information, visit:** * [Mesa County Sheriff's Department Facebook Page for Evacuation Alerts](https://www.facebook.com/Mesacountysheriffsoffice) * [Turner Gulch and Wright Draw Fires Interactive Evacuation Web Map](https://tinyurl.com/TurnerGulchWrightDrawEvacs) * [BLM Colorado Grand Junction Field Office Information](https://www.blm.gov/office/grand-junction-field-office) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: Residences are threatened by the fire. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No specific reports of injuries or fatalities related to the Turner Gulch Fire have been detailed in the provided information. **School and Business Closures**: No specific school or business closures have been reported in the immediate vicinity of the fire in the provided information. **Power Outages**: No specific power outages have been reported in connection with the Turner Gulch Fire. **Air Quality**: An Air Quality Advisory remains in place for Southern Mesa County due to slowly smoldering fires. Smoke from the Turner Gulch Fire is visible and expected to persist, particularly in low-lying drainages and along Highway 141. Moderate to unhealthy air quality levels are expected in the Grand Valley area. Sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activity. **Safety Concerns:** **Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions**: Fire restrictions are in place for all surrounding public lands and in Mesa County. **Water Quality**: Wildfires can impact drinking water supplies due to changes in soil properties and loss of vegetation, leading to increased sediment and pollutants in surface water. However, drinking water supplies have not been directly impacted by the fire. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: Fire managers anticipate continued dry conditions through Monday, with critical fire weather conditions expected. Red Flag Warnings have been issued due to low relative humidity and strong winds. Increased chances of wetting rain are expected after Wednesday, which should help dampen fire activity. Fire spread is expected to be limited by containment lines and discontinuous fuels, but active fire behavior is anticipated in steep canyons. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the region and fire area, indicating critical fire weather conditions with low relative humidity and winds forecasted above 25 mph. Southwest winds with gusts up to 20 mph are expected. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Turner Gulch Fire was caused by lightning. **Weather and Climate**: The fire ignited during a period of extensive dry lightning and windy conditions. The region has been experiencing drought-stressed fuels and hot, dry weather, which are contributing factors to the fire's behavior and spread. Climate change is noted as a factor creating conditions for larger and more out-of-control wildfires. Bark beetle activity has also altered fuel content in some areas, potentially influencing fire behavior. ### For more information, visit: * [InciWeb - Turner Gulch Fire Information](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7976/) * [CAL FIRE Incident Information](https://www.fire.ca.gov/) * [National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)](https://www.nifc.gov/)

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