Governor Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency Friday in response to the 310 Fire burning in Garfield County at more than 600 acres, while six large wildfires across Colorado have more than 850 firefighters actively engaged.

The 310 Fire has exhibited active to extreme fire behavior on steep slopes and terrain. A Type 3 Incident Management Team has been assigned to the fire. The verbal declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and directs the Department of Public Safety and its Divisions of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Fire Prevention and Control to take responsibility for all response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. The declaration also authorizes the National Guard to assist and makes it easier for out-of-state licensed emergency medical providers to support fire response.

Since June 27, Governor Polis has declared a disaster emergency in response to nine fires statewide. Aerial resources in the Rocky Mountain Area today include 38 fixed-wing aircraft and 30 rotor wing assets from the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, federal and local partners, and other states.

Gold Mountain Fire — Ouray County

Governor Polis declared a disaster emergency for the Gold Mountain Fire in Ouray County on June 28. The fire has burned over 39,000 acres and is 90 percent contained. It remains a state responsibility fire. A Fire Management Assistance Grant was authorized July 1, 2026, allowing the state to be federally reimbursed up to 75 percent of firefighting costs. Fire Helicopter Pilot Nicholas Dale died July 12 while supporting firefighting efforts on this fire.

Aspen Acres Fire — Pueblo and Custer Counties

Governor Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo and Custer Counties on June 29, 2026. The fire has burned over 101,000 acres and is 71 percent contained. It remains a state responsibility fire. A Fire Management Assistance Grant was authorized June 20.

Willow Fire — Lake County

Governor Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Willow Fire in Lake County on June 29. The fire has burned over 7,000 acres and is 67 percent contained. It remains a state responsibility fire. A Fire Management Assistance Grant was authorized July 5.

Indian Creek Fire — Jackson County

Governor Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Indian Creek Fire in Jackson County on August 5, 2026. The fire is currently estimated at 33 acres and 7 percent contained. It is located in an area with heavy timber fuels at 9,000 feet elevation, requiring specialized assets that exceed the county's capability. A Red Flag Warning is in place for the fire area.

Post-fire flooding

Colorado is experiencing post-fire flooding from burn scars left by the wildfires. When rain falls over a burn scar, water cannot soak into the ground and vegetation is no longer present to slow runoff, which can lead to flash floods and catastrophic debris flows. Flooding has been most significant in Ouray County from the Gold Mountain Fire burn scar and in Pueblo and Custer Counties from the Aspen Acres burn scar. The state is working with local governments to clear impacted roads and restore safe passage.

Flooding is not covered by most homeowners insurance without a specific flood policy. Homeowners in susceptible areas should consider flood insurance. Information on obtaining flood insurance is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

Daily burn-area-specific flood forecasts are available at www.coloradofloodthreat.com. Residents are encouraged to check the National Weather Service for their area for real-time alerts and warnings.

Coloradans can use the Disaster Recovery Navigation tool at disasterrecovery.colorado.gov for information on signing up for emergency alerts, securing flood insurance coverage, and finding additional post-fire guidance. For flooding resources from individual counties, including sandbag materials, check local community pages.