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Pilot dies in reservoir crash
Main, News...
Pilot dies in reservoir crash
Accident under investigation; man honored with procession
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
An experienced firefighting pilot who was pulling water from Silver Jack Reservoir to battle the Gold Mountain Fire died Sunday when his helicopter plunged into the reservoir northeast of Ridgway. Nic...
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Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain
Main, News...
Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
Hotshot Jesse Eaves calls it “The Great Race.” At the small tent city along U.S. Highway 550, Eaves starts each day with a 5 a.m. wakeup call. Thus begins an eight-minute sprint for him and his Califo...
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UPDATE: Pilot in fatal crash identified as Canadian man
Main, News...
UPDATE: Pilot in fatal crash identified as Canadian man
Investigation underway to determine cause of crash at Silver Jack Reservoir
By Mike 
July 13, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been changed to correctly indicate the change in the team overseeing the fire response. The pilot who died when his aircraft went down in Silver Jack Reservoir Sunday was...
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Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire
Main, News...
Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire
Sheriff allows some evacuees to return home; blaze shifts away from populated areas
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
Residents forced to flee the Gold Mountain Fire north of Ouray nearly two weeks ago returned to charred landscapes but fully intact homes Wednesday, an indication that authorities believe the threat h...
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Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on
Main, News...
Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
A scaled-back Fourth of July celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States and 150th birthday of Ouray attracted thousands to the city, despite the cancellation of fireworks, water fights and...
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Forest closure expands as fire makes another big run
Main, News...
Forest closure expands as fire makes another big run
By Mike 
July 2, 2026
The U.S. Forest Service this afternoon expanded the closure area in the Uncompahgre National Forest east of Ridgway, as the Gold Mountain Fire makes another big run. The original closure largely encom...
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Fire surges into Cimarrons
Main, News...
Fire surges into Cimarrons
Evacuations expand, forest closes as forecast offers little relief
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 1, 2026
A wildfire that started as a wisp of smoke on a cliffside just north of Ouray last weekend exploded to more than 15,000 acres by Wednesday, driven by winds north to the Cimarron Range east of Ridgway....
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City curtails holiday events, keeps parade
Main, News...
City curtails holiday events, keeps parade
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 1, 2026
Fourth of July events in Ouray will be scaled back this year in response to the Gold Mountain Fire, with the July 3 fire department benefit concert and the Independence Day parade and kids’ games a go...
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Persistent windy, dry weather hampers firefighters
Main, News...
Persistent windy, dry weather hampers firefighters
Feds to assume operational control today; Ouray Fourth of July celebration in doubt
By Mike 
June 29, 2026
UPDATE, 4:40 p.m.: Firefighters battling the 7,100-acre Gold Mountain Fire on the ground and in the air are focused on preventing the blaze from crossing County Road 14A. Fire crews consider that road...
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Evacuees in limbo as fire grows
Main, News...
Evacuees in limbo as fire grows
By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com 
June 28, 2026
Dottie Miller hopped online on Friday, running over checklists of items to take with her in the event of an emergency. It’s practically an annual ritual for her, just to make sure she has everything s...
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Main, News...
Ouray cancels Fourth of July fireworks
By Mike 
June 28, 2026
The city of Ouray has canceled its Fourth of July fireworks display in light of dangerous fire conditions. Brooke Warren, a spokeswoman for the city, said this morning Fire Chief Adam Kunz made the de...
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Extreme fire danger persists
Main, News...
Extreme fire danger persists
Gold Mountain Fire burns as more firefighting resources expected to arrive
By Mike Wiggins And Erin Mcintyre 
June 28, 2026
Ouray County and southwestern Colorado are under a red flag warning until 10 p.m. today, as forecasters this morning warned gusty winds and low humidity will create dangerous fire weather conditions. ...
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Gold Mountain Fire grows, prompts evacuations north of Ouray
Main, News...
Gold Mountain Fire grows, prompts evacuations north of Ouray
By Mike 
June 27, 2026
Click here to read the NEW, UPDATED STORY POSTED AT 10:20 a.m. Sunday, June 28 here. UPDATE, 11:16 p.m.: A pre-evacuation notice has been issued for County Road 17 from Whispering Pines to Black Lake....
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Sweet sounds of summer
Main, News...
Sweet sounds of summer
June 24, 2026
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Main, News...
County to pursue use tax
Likely ballot measure would raise money for roads, EMS
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
June 24, 2026
Ouray County voters likely will be asked this fall to approve a use tax on both new vehicle purchases and construction material purchases, with most of the tax dollars going to the county’s Road and B...
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Main, News...
Will fire authority ease insurance woes?
Experts say consolidation may not help homeowners gain, keep coverage
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
Home insurance experts say the proposed consolidation of fire and emergency services in Ouray County may not necessarily help homeowners gain and keep insurance coverage. Leaders of the possible conso...
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County turns attention to prairie dogs at 4-H Center
Main, News...
County turns attention to prairie dogs at 4-H Center
County manager insists on controlling rodents despite pushback from commissioner
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 17, 2026
Ouray County will control the prairie dog population at the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds. Ouray County Manager Antonio Mendez said he has yet to decide on a method, but that the end goal is contro...
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Gym members decry removal of free weights
Main, News...
Gym members decry removal of free weights
City cites structural issues, will pursue short-term fix
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 17, 2026
The sudden removal of most of the free weights from the fitness center at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool has angered members who say the city eliminated one of the primary reasons they work out there. Cit...
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A well-deserved honor
Main, News...
A well-deserved honor
June 10, 2026
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Police sergeant sues Ouray
Main, News...
Police sergeant sues Ouray
Lawsuit accusing city of broken promises, defamation followed internal complaints against staff, councilor
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 10, 2026
The Ouray Police Department’s sole sworn officer has filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing city officials of broken promises, unprofessional behavior and defamation. The lawsuit follows a series ...
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Editor Picks
News
County approves hiring fire recovery manager — if it can find funding
By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
Ouray County intends to hire an employee who can help lead the county’s efforts to recover from the Gold Mountain Fire — assuming it can find funding. County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agree...
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News
Trust, county close to conserving open space park
Grants, donations put nonprofit on brink of acquiring Silver Mountain Mine property
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 15, 2026
Ouray County is much closer to getting a new open space park on the Silver Mountain Mine property. The Trust for Land Restoration has received a $180,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. Couple that wit...
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Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case
News
Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case
One of three defendants, Whittington admits to giving alcohol to minor
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
A former Ouray County man was sentenced Monday to one year of unsupervised probation for providing alcohol to a then-17-year-old girl who said she was sexually assaulted by two others at the former Ou...
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Letters, Opinion...
Thank you, helpers
By Dave Conrad 
July 15, 2026
Dear Editor: A word of gratitude: These last days since the Gold Mountain Fire started on June 27 have been hard for us, individually and as a community. During times of strife and difficulty a wise m...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thank you, firefighters
By Kathy Hall 
July 15, 2026
Dear Editor: Thank you is a simple phrase most of us use every day. However, now "thank you" just doesn’t seem adequate for our firefighters and first responders. Thank you for saving our town, our ho...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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