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News
By Plaindealer Staff on July 22, 2026
County changes, reopens some mandatory evacuated areas

Ouray County officials changed the evacuation status for some areas on Wednesday, as firefighters gained more control of the Gold Mountain Fire. Zones 11, 12 and 13 were removed from pre-evacuation status and zone 300 was moved from mandatory to voluntary evacuation.

To look up an address and its evacuation status, click here.

Though the fire danger is subsiding, the danger of flash flooding and mudslides in the burned area is increasing with the arrival of precipitation.

Any residents who are returning to these closed areas are asked to get credentials from the Ouray County Human Services Office by calling 970-626-2299 and to make sure they are signed up for Ouray County alerts for emergency notifications by texting “ourayalerts” to 65513.

The areas that remained closed on Wednesday included areas 25 and 30. Those included the easternmost portions of county roads 12 and 12A, as well as county roads 8 and 8B in the area of Nate Creek. There are just a few homes in the areas that remain closed, according to Ouray County Emergency Manager Glenn Boyd.

There are some ranches in the closed area that have continued to have access and operated during the fire, including the J Bar M Ranch and the Sleeping Indian Ranch.

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Commissioners pause refilling second EMS vacancy
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
October 21, 2026
A paramedic for Ouray County Emergency Medical Services, who has been on administrative leave since the Gold Mountain Fire, was fired last week after a meeting with county administration went awry. Jo...
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Initial plan leaves five positions vacant, reduces some departmental hours
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
October 21, 2026
Ouray County’s draft budget for next year proposes five staff reductions from general fund departments – all of which are currently vacant positions. The positions are from administration, the assesso...
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October 21, 2026
The Emergency Watershed Protection project to mitigate debris flows below the Gold Mountain Fire burn area has received a 45-day extension with a new completion date of Nov. 17. Most construction is s...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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