A wildfire sparked by lightning Thursday morning has forced the full closure of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, burning more than 1,600 acres along the park’s South Rim and drawing a multi-agency emergency response.
The fire, now dubbed the Sowbelly Fire, was reported the morning of Thursday, July 10, and had scorched 1,640 acres as of late Thursday night, with 0% containment, according to the federally run fire-tracking site InciWeb. Fueled by dry vegetation, extreme heat, and gusty winds, the fire spread quickly through pinyon-juniper, sage and grasses on both rims of the canyon.
A map from the federally run site Inciweb shows how much of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park the fire had affected. This map image was not timestamped. (Inciweb)
All visitors, hikers, and staff were swiftly evacuated from the park Thursday. No injuries have been reported.
The National Park Service confirmed the closure of all areas of the park, including the South Rim, North Rim, and East Portal. Nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area remains open, though authorities urge caution as fire conditions remain severe across Western Colorado.
Montrose County is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, and residents living near the park have been asked to remain alert and ready to evacuate should conditions change. No formal evacuations are in place for Montrose County residents at this time.
(Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse)
The Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse and Montrose County Sheriff’s Office have closed all access to the Black Canyon via Highway 50. Authorities are asking the public not to call 911 for updates, as dispatch lines are needed for active emergencies.
A Type 1 Incident Management Team (San Juan Team 8) assumed command of the fire at 6 a.m. Friday, coordinating ground crews and aerial assets, including large air tankers and a Type 1 helicopter capable of carrying up to 700 gallons of water or retardant. Aircraft could be seen Thursday dropping retardant on burning hillsides as part of the suppression effort.
A Type-1 firefighting helicopter near Montrose Regional Airport Friday morning at around 10:30 a.m. (Justin Tubbs | MBT)
“The National Park Service extends its gratitude to all of its partners for their fast response,” NPS said in a statement, naming the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Olathe Fire Protection District, and Montrose County Office of Emergency Management among those involved.
Campers in Escalante Canyon have been asked to relocate closer to Highway 50 as a precaution. No new camping is recommended in the canyon area, according to the Delta County Sheriff’s Office. A pre-evacuation notice has been issued for residents near the “Potholes” recreation area.
Heavy smoke and ash are affecting visibility and air quality across multiple counties, including San Miguel, where no wildfires are burning but smoke has drifted in from the Sowbelly Fire and other large fires burning in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Public health officials advise residents—especially those with heart or lung conditions—to stay indoors and filter their air. Smoke may settle at night, worsening conditions.
For official updates, residents are asked to monitor:
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InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov
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Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
Emergency alerts are available through the state at: https://dhsem.colorado.gov/emergencyalert
More information will be released as the situation develops.
