Ferris

Ferris Fire Report - July 20, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Ferris Fire ignited from a lightning strike on June 27, 2026. It is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Dolores, Colorado, burning across Montezuma and Dolores counties within the San Juan National Forest.
Size and Containment: Over the last 72 hours, containment has increased significantly. As of July 20, 2026, the fire has burned 64,881 acres and is 83% contained. It is currently recorded as the 10th largest wildfire in Colorado history.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially fueled by pinyon, juniper, pine, ponderosa, and oak in steep canyon terrain, the fire exhibited extreme behavior early on. Upon reaching the Dolores River Canyon, it made rapid uphill runs of more than 1,000 feet in five to seven minutes. However, over the past 72 hours, the fire has seen no new growth. The slowdown is credited to the tireless work of ground crews, aerial drops, and a shift in weather bringing monsoon moisture into the region.
Containment Efforts: California Interagency Incident Management Team 7 is managing the fire response, which has cost an estimated $28.4 million to date. With the fire's advance successfully halted, operations over the last 72 hours have entered a new phase, shifting from active suppression to mop-up and suppression repair. Crews are utilizing infrared drones to locate remaining interior heat and ash pits. Suppression repair work is actively underway, including repairing bulldozer lines, pulling berms back into place, chipping cut brush, and adding water bars to reduce erosion.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Due to favorable changes in fire behavior and increased containment over the last 72 hours, all mandatory evacuation orders (Level 3 "Go") have been lifted.
Evacuation Warnings: As of July 17, evacuation statuses were downgraded to Level 1 ("Ready") across affected areas in Dolores, Montezuma, and San Miguel counties. This includes Dolores County Zones 1 through 9, 11, 13, 14a, 14b, and 16; Montezuma County Zones 10 and 12; and San Miguel County Zone 15.
Curfew: No curfews are currently reported for the area.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: With the downgrade to "Ready" status, residents should remain vigilant and continue checking official county emergency management pages and evacuation maps for any changes.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Public land closures remain in place for San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.
• BLM lands from Bradfield Bridge toward Box Elder Canyon are closed.
• The intersection of County Road 16 and County Road S in Dolores County is restricted to all travelers.
• Emergency officials strictly advise the public not to drive into closed areas to view the fire footprint due to heavy equipment traffic and new post-fire hazards.

For more information, visit:

• San Juan National Forest Fire Information
• Dolores County Emergency Management
• Montezuma County Emergency Management

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities or injuries associated with the Ferris Fire.
Structures Impacted: Despite the extreme fire behavior early in the incident, no homes or structures have been lost. Fire officials credit this to the coordination among local volunteer firefighters, hotshot crews, and state and federal partners.
School and Business Closures: No widespread school or business closures are reported outside of the immediate evacuation zones, though local recreational operations have been heavily impacted by public land closures.
Notable Impacts: The fire has burned through the Dolores River Canyon ecosystem, raising significant concerns among local river advocates regarding the long-term ecological impacts on old-growth ponderosa pines, native fish, sediment runoff, and recreation access. Governor Jared Polis has verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the fire.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No major power outages are currently reported in connection with the incident.
Water Safety: Potential sediment runoff into the Dolores River ecosystem remains a concern following the burn, and residents should monitor local water advisories.
Burn Bans: Residents should adhere to all local fire restrictions and burn bans currently in effect on public lands.
Air Quality: Smoke visible from the fire is generally coming from the northern portion of the incident. While air quality has improved with recent rains, residents with respiratory conditions should continue to monitor local conditions and stay indoors if smoke settles.
Other Health Risks: Officials warn of severe new hazards in the burned areas, including ash pits, smoldering trees, and weakened root systems.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters are confident that the fire will not escape its current perimeter. Most of the remaining heat is interior, and crews are actively cooling the fire's edges. Mop-up work in the hottest northern portion above Dolores Canyon is expected to continue for several more days to ensure full containment.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The severe fire danger index in the area has dropped to "Low." A monsoon pattern has brought cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, and consistent afternoon rain showers and thunderstorms to the fire area, which has greatly reduced fire activity over the last 72 hours.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Ferris Fire was caused by lightning.
Weather and Climate: Early in the fire's progression, the area experienced extreme fire weather, including a week of Red Flag conditions characterized by very low relative humidity, dry fuels, and gusty winds. These conditions exacerbated the fire's rapid spread and allowed it to burn actively through the night. Over the last 72 hours, a shift in the climate pattern bringing monsoon moisture and rain has played a critical role in halting the fire's advance and aiding containment efforts.

For more information, visit:

• San Juan National Forest Fire Information
• Dolores County Emergency Management
• Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management