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A plane drops retardant on the Muddy Slide fire reported Sunday, June 20, in the Routt National Forest about 30 miles south of Steamboat Springs in Routt County. Pre-evacuation notices were sent out to residents in the area of Routt County Road 16. (Matt Stensland, Special to The Colorado Sun)

UPDATE: This story was updated at 10:27 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2021, to include the latest information on the wildfires.

Morgan Creek | Sylvan | Oil Springs | Trail Canyon | Muddy Slide | West | Wild Cow

Morgan Creek fire

Routt County

A wildfire that ignited about 15 miles of north of Steamboat Springs is now at 5,548 acres, according to InciWeb, an official reporting site for managers.

The Morgan Creek fire started south of Hinman Campground, near County Road 64 and Forest Road 400, and is moving southeast toward Floyd Peak, federal fire managers reported.

Forest Road 400 is closed where County Road 64 enters National Forest. Authorities issued a voluntary pre-evacuation notice for some residents in Routt County.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

  • Location: 15 miles north of Steamboat Springs 
  • Size: 5,548 acres as of July 22
  • Cause: unknown
  • State date: July 9
  • Containment: 0%

Sylvan fire

South of Eagle

The Sylvan Fire, burning south of Eagle, is now 68% contained as fire crews work to contain the flames on the southern side of the fire, where rugged terrain and thick timber make the fire difficult to access, federal managers reported Thursday.

Twenty firefighters are working hot spots from the ground and using a helicopter to access more areas that are more difficult to reach.

While authorities have opened the area around the Sylvan Fire, including Sylvan Lake State Park, the public is urged to drive carefully because of firefighter activity, according to InciWeb.

  • Location: about ½ mile southwest of Sylvan Lake State Park in Eagle County 
  • Size: 3,792 acres as of July 22
  • Cause: unknown, suspected lightning
  • State date: June 20
  • Containment: 68%; estimated containment date, Aug. 1
The Oil Springs fire, burning 20 miles south of Rangely, was ignited by lightning June 18. (Photo provided by the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office)

Oil Springs fire

Rio Blanco County

The Oil Springs fire, which is now at 12,613 acres, is 99% contained as of Wednesday, according to InciWeb. Crews are patrolling the containment lines around the fire’s perimeter.

The Rio Blanco County sheriff has lifted evacuation orders that resulted from the fire and most county roads are reopen, although County Roads 113 and 116 and BLM road 1045 remains closed for firefighter safety. The sheriff also invoked Stage 2 fire restrictions, which, among other things, bans outdoor camp and cooking fires, outdoor smoking, fireworks and chainsaws without spark arresters. The fire was considered 58% contained as of Wednesday morning.

  • Location: 20 miles south of Rangely
  • Size: 12,613 acres
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Start date: June 18
  • Containment: 99%

Trail Canyon fire

Montezuma County

The Trail Canyon fire, now at 881 acres, is burning 10 miles northwest of Red Mesa and southeast of Mesa Verde National Park. About 50 firefighters are battling the blaze, which was started by lightning.

  • Location: Montezuma County on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation
  • Size: 881 acres
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Start date: June 18
  • Containment: 90%

Muddy Slide fire

Routt County

A plane drops retardant on the Muddy Slide fire reported Sunday, June 20, in the Routt National Forest about 30 miles south of Steamboat Springs in Routt County. Pre-evacuation notices were sent out to residents in the area of Routt County Road 16. (Matt Stensland, Special to The Colorado Sun)

Cooler weather is helping fire crews contain the Muddy Slide fire, burning in Routt County, while they prepare for hotter, drier conditions in the days to come, according to InciWeb. About 124 firefighters are assigned to the fire, which is now at 4,093 acres.

Although rain offered a reprieve, federal managers of the Muddy Slide fire said the low moisture content of fuels in the area and the area’s steep terrain make them think the fire will be burning for a long time.

Various fire restrictions are in place for Routt County and the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, and a large part of the forest near the fire is closed.

  • Location: Routt National Forest, northwest of Lynx Pass, near Muddy and Clear Creeks and The Slide
  • Size: 4,093 acres
  • Cause: unknown
  • Start date: June 20
  • Containment: 70%; estimated containment date, July 30

West fire

Moffat County

The West fire, which was burning 80 miles northwest of Craig, is fully contained, according to InciWeb.

  • Location: 80 miles northwest of Craig
  • Size: 3,429 acres
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Start date: June 20
  • Containment: 100%

Wild Cow fire

Garfield County

Firefighters contained the Wild Cow fire, which was burning in western Garfield County, after a suspected lightning strike.

  • Location: Garfield County, 33 miles west of the town of Mack
  • Size: 560 acres
  • Cause: Suspected lightning
  • Start date: June 21
  • Containment: 100%

Olivia Prentzel covers breaking news and a wide range of other important issues impacting Coloradans for The Colorado Sun, where she has been a staff writer since 2021. At The Sun, she has covered wildfires, criminal justice, the environment,...