PL Gulch Fire

Rio Blanco County · Started Jul 15, 2026 at 4:21 PM

1,580acres

100%contained

3personnel

Humancause

Jul 13discovered

Mapped perimeter as of Jul 18 from the National Interagency Fire Center

About this incident

The PL Gulch Fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. on July 13, 2026, in the County Road 76 and County Road 5 area of Rio Blanco County. The fire was burning in brush, grass, and piñon/juniper mix, approximately 20 miles southwest of Meeker.

Rio Blanco Fire Protection District and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - USWFS responded to the scene. Initial attack efforts included ground personnel and aerial resources.

The Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Team (Team CO) assumed management of the fire at 6:00 a.m. on July 17. The Team worked closely with local and regional resources, who remain actively engaged in suppression and repair efforts. The fire is burning on BLM land and did not initially threaten any structures. As the fire moved south toward County Road 5, one residence was evacuated.

As of July 22, there are no evacuation orders and all roads are open. There was minor damage to high-voltage transmission lines. Team Colorado returns the fire to the local unit at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Updates

10 · newest first

Jul 28, 2026, 12:15 AM
Update for wildfire: PL Gulch Fire
Updated information for this wildfire:
The PL Gulch Fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. on July 13, 2026, in the County Road 76 and County Road 5 area of Rio Blanco County. The fire was burning in brush, grass, and piñon/juniper mix, approximately 20 miles southwest of Meeker.
Rio Blanco Fire Protection District and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - USWFS responded to the scene. Initial attack efforts included ground personnel and aerial resources.
The Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Team (Team CO) assumed management of the fire at 6:00 a.m. on July 17. The Team worked closely with local and regional resources, who remain actively engaged in suppression and repair efforts. The fire is burning on BLM land and did not initially threaten any structures. As the fire moved south toward County Road 5, one residence was evacuated.
As of July 22, there are no evacuation orders and all roads are open. There was minor damage to high-voltage transmission lines. Team Colorado returns the fire to the local unit at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Jul 25, 2026, 8:05 AM
Containment on the PL Gulch Fire reaches 100 percent
Containment improved from 95 to 100 percent. 1,580 acres, 100 percent contained, 3 personnel assigned.
Jul 25, 2026, 8:05 AM
PL Gulch Fire declared out
Fire managers report this fire as out. Final mapped size 1,580 acres.
Jul 22, 2026, 3:06 PM
Containment on the PL Gulch Fire reaches 95 percent
Containment improved from 70 to 95 percent. 1,580 acres, 95 percent contained, 38 personnel assigned.
Jul 22, 2026, 12:15 PM
Update for wildfire: PL Gulch Fire
Updated information for this wildfire:
The PL Gulch Fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. on July 13, 2026, in the County Road 76 and County Road 5 area of Rio Blanco County. The fire was burning in brush, grass, and piñon/juniper mix, approximately 20 miles southwest of Meeker.
Rio Blanco Fire Protection District and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - USWFS responded to the scene. Initial attack efforts included ground personnel and aerial resources.
The Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Team (Team CO) assumed management of the fire at 6:00 a.m. on July 17. The Team worked closely with local and regional resources, who remain actively engaged in suppression and repair efforts. The fire is burning on BLM land and did not initially threaten any structures. As the fire moved south toward County Road 5, one residence was evacuated.
As of July 22, there are no evacuation orders and all roads are open. There was minor damage to high-voltage transmission lines. Team Colorado returns the fire to the local until at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Jul 21, 2026, 8:05 PM
Containment on the PL Gulch Fire reaches 70 percent
Containment improved from 55 to 70 percent. 1,580 acres, 70 percent contained, 150 personnel assigned.
Jul 19, 2026, 7:05 PM
Containment on the PL Gulch Fire reaches 55 percent
Containment improved from 45 to 55 percent. 1,580 acres, 55 percent contained, 235 personnel assigned.
Jul 18, 2026, 6:05 PM
Containment on the PL Gulch Fire reaches 83 percent
Containment improved from 15 to 83 percent. 1,580 acres, 83 percent contained, 204 personnel assigned.
Jul 17, 2026, 3:15 PM
Update for wildfire: PL Gulch Fire
Updated information for this wildfire:
Current Operational Objectives:
Fire managers have established key operational objectives to keep the fire north and east of Rio Blanco County Road 5, south of County Road 76, and west of County Road 3.
Firefighters are working to slow the fire’s spread and reinforce containment lines. County Road 5 remains closed from Mile Marker 22 to County Road 3 for public and firefighter safety.
Oil and gas infrastructure and nearby residences remain priority values at risk, and crews are actively working to reduce the threat to these areas.

Strategic Objectives:
Construct direct handline in Division A down to the County Road 5 corridor. Assess and prep values at risk in Division D. Construct indirect lines and look for opportunities to pick up fire direct handline down towards CR 5 in Division Z.

Information about evacuations is available from the Rio Blanco Sheriff's Office:
- Facebook Page
- Website
- 970-878-9600
Jul 16, 2026, 5:43 PM
Containment on the PL Gulch Fire reaches 15 percent
Containment improved from 5 to 15 percent. 1,600 acres, 15 percent contained, 125 personnel assigned.

Size, containment, and perimeter come from the National Interagency Fire Center. Narrative comes from InciWeb. For life-threatening emergencies call 911.