Horsefly Volunteer Fire Protection

09/02/2026

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be in effect. Please advise those visiting the area and please continue to be vigilant. Still have fire conditions that warrant Stage 1. Stay safe, friends.

08/27/2026

Nine years ago, Smokey Bear teamed up with Dolly Parton in a fire-prevention campaign for the Great Smoky Mountains.

Parton, heartbroken over the wildfires affecting her hometown, joined Smokey in a public service announcement urging people not to burn leaves, avoid parking on dry grass, and be cautious with campfires.

Rest in peace, Dolly. And remember — What would Dolly do? Follow her advice by staying vigilant and following all fire restrictions.

Photo credit: Smokey Bear

07/22/2026

Neighbors coming together to train and scope out building their own water trailers. With Gold Mountain Fire smoke in the background. Community preparedness is critical. 📸 W. Ball

07/14/2026

Our hearts are with the family and friends of the wildland helicopter pilot who lost his life serving our community on the Gold Mountain Fire. No dry eyes as the procession went through Montrose yesterday. Please hold the memory of his brave service in our community and please hold his loved ones tight. Rest in peace, Nicholas Dale. We will not forget.

07/08/2026

Info to help interpret containment percentages.

What Containment Really Means: A Wildfire Isn’t Out Until It’s Out

When you hear that a wildfire is contained or has partial containment, it’s easy to assume the fire is almost out—but that’s not the case. Containment refers to the portion of a wildfire’s perimeter where control lines—such as hand-dug firebreaks, bulldozer lines or natural barriers—have been completed to prevent the fire from spreading. It does not mean that the fire is no longer burning or that it’s safe to return to the area.

Take the Beehive Fire, for example, which recently reached 11% containment from 0%. That indicates that this is the percentage of the fire’s edge that is surrounded by established lines and barriers that firefighters are confident will hold. However, within the interior of the fire, hot spots may still be smoldering and crews remain on scene to patrol and mop up areas of lingering heat to prevent flare-ups. This fire is still actively being fought on multiple fronts, and its potential to spread remains, especially with changes in weather, terrain or wind.

Even when a wildfire is mostly contained, it can stay dangerous until fully extinguished—a process that can take days, weeks, or months. Containment measures firefighting progress, not whether a fire is out. Evacuations may remain, and crews stay on scene to eliminate all heat, smoke and embers, above and below ground, to prevent reignition. Containment progress is encouraging, but the fire isn’t truly over until it’s completely out.

For information on the Beehive Fire, go to: https://bit.ly/Beehive-Fire-2026

06/30/2026

To stay informed on the Gold Mountain Fire, including upcoming community communication events as well as fire activities, please follow the page linked below. Please continue to follow the Ouray County Sheriff's Office for other important updates as well as Ouray County Emergency Management and Ouray County Alerts.

Information about the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray, CO

06/30/2026

Cow Creek Evacuation

Ouray County Sheriff - Gold Mountain Wildfire actively burning in Ouray County. The Sheriff has ordered the EVACAUTION of ALL individuals hiking, camping or otherwise recreating in the area of Cow Creek on Forest Service past the intersection of County Road (CR) 12. Closure notice is posted. LEAVE AREA NOW. No public access past road blocks. For more at OurayCountyCO.gov

06/30/2026

Gold Mtn Fire: The winds certainly did not let up enough today. HVFP Co-Chief Dan and Firefighters Anthony and Heather worked to hold the fire from crossing county road 14A. The helicopter pilots were skilled targeting water drops in challenging terrain. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Mgt Team 3 (federal) will be taking on the fire tonight. If you get a chance to thank Ouray, Ridgway, Norwood, Montrose, Log Hill, Telluride and other responding fire departments, and CDFP, Ouray Sheriff, OEM and other county team members, please do.

06/29/2026

There aren’t adequate words to express our care and condolences for the three wildland firefighters lost yesterday in the Snyder fire along the Utah-Colorado border. These brave individuals showed up for our communities and natural resources. Please honor them by acts of service and by vigilant prevention of wildfire. And please keep their friends and families in your thoughts and prayers. Two firefighters are hospitalized and we send them strength and wishes for full and speedy recoveries.