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Firefighting aircraft goes down in Silver Jack

Body of pilot recovered from crash scene by dive team late Sunday

By Plaindealer Staff

July 12, 2026

An aircraft fighting the Gold Mountain Fire went down in Silver Jack R...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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

The pilot who died when his aircraft went down in Silver Jack Reservoir Sunday was identified Monday as 56-year-old Nicholas Dale of Sooke, British Columbia. The Gunnison County Sheriff's Office confirmed Dale was the sole occupant of a K-MAX helicopter that crashed into the reservoir while fighting the Gold Mountain Fire. Dale's body was escorted through Montrose on Monday morning, honored with s...

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First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 8, 2026

Even though the Gold Mountain Fire is still burning, Ouray County officials are already thinking about flash flood risks in the burn scar as Colorado moves into monsoon season. “This is a predictable ...

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Water providers ask customers to pull back

Ridgway enacts mandatory irrigation restrictions

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

Water managers in Ouray County are asking residents to curtail water use and avoid putting more demand on their distribution systems in light of the Gold Mountain Fire and ongoing tinder-dry condition...

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Looking Back

50 Years Ago

July 8, 2026

July 7, 1966 Charges have been filed in Ouray County Court against three Ouray youths for violation of state statutes in climbing over a fence at the municipal swimming pool last Friday and breaking b...

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Following outcry, Ouray seeks gym solutions

City may move fitness center to empty building, assess bathhouse for possible remodel

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

The city of Ouray is thinking about moving the fitness center from inside the historic bathhouse at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool to an empty building across the street from the Ouray Community Center. C...

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A foam-filled Fourth

July 8, 2026

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Some evacuated areas will reopen to residents Wednesday

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 7, 2026

The Ouray County sheriff is allowing some residents to return to their homes in evacuated areas starting Wednesday morning. The sheriff's office approved re-entry for credentialed residents who live i...

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Wildlife displaced by fire, residents can help by providing water for animals

Commissioners to discuss emergency plans for flooding

By James Hanlon, Special to the Plaindealer

July 7, 2026

Wildlife escaping the Gold Mountain Fire are moving closer to town, prompting state wildlife officials to advise the public on how they can simultaneously help animals and give them the space they nee...

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Evacuees can obtain credentials for re-entry of fire zone

Timeline unclear for return to homes in evacuated area

By Deb Hurley Brobst

July 6, 2026

Evacuees of the Gold Mountain Fire — who have been displaced for more than a week — hope they will return to their homes soon, are thankful for the firefighters working tirelessly to quell the flames ...

Feature

Good For You!

Celebrating 90 years, Neighbor to Neighbor's 20th anniversary and Ridgway mayor honored with good governance award

July 8, 2026

Editor's note: The caption on the photo of Carl Dismant's birthday has been corrected to include Barry Maclennan's name, instead of Paul Elmont ______________ Neighbor to Neighbor celebrated its 20th ...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

July 9-23, 2026

July 8, 2026

Thursday, July 9 Ridgway Concert Series: Black Uhuru with opener Psylo, free concert in Hartwell Park, 6 p.m. No dogs or outside alcohol allowed. Youth Garden Club: Compost Basics for ages 8-18, from ...

Feature

Looking Back

July 1, 2026

Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago July 7, 1966 Dynamite charges started Ouray’s Independence Day Celebration with a ban...

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Calendar & Events

July 2-16, 2026

July 1, 2026

EDITOR'S NOTE: All events are subject to change, given the state of emergency and the Gold Mountain Fire. Thursday, July 2 Ridgway Concert Series: Levi Platero with opener Shelby Means, free concert i...

Feature

Travels influence food truck flavors

By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer

June 24, 2026

From Greece to the Caribbean, menu runs gamut at The Sweet Tea Syndicate A new, bright red food truck has rolled into town, and with it come flavors of Greece, Poland, the Caribbean and the southern U...

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New Ouray restaurant offers ‘elevated pub food’

The Tavern opens in space formerly occupied by Full Tilt, O'Brien's

By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer

June 24, 2026

When Nancy Feeser and her husband, Mike, bought the building at 726 Main St. in Ouray in February, it was painted green with bright yellow letters announcing O’Brien’s Pub, which had been closed for y...

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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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Water providers ask customers to conserve

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2026

Water managers are asking residents to avoid excessive water use and putting more demand on their distribution system. Ridgway Mayor John Clark announced during a Ouray County Board of County Commissi...

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Reservoir to close due to aerial firefighting operation

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2026

Ridgway Reservoir will close to boaters as soon as planes dispatched to assist with the aerial attack on the Gold Mountain Fire arrive. It's hard to tell exactly when that will be, but Colorado Parks ...

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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

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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