Fighting through scorching weather, harsh drought conditions and mountainous terrain, fire crews have almost contained a wildfire in western Colorado that has burned over 15,000 acres and fully controlled a smaller one. 

Five wildfires were sparked by lightning strikes over three weeks ago and have consumed 46,318 acres, according to U.S. government website InciWeb. The wildfires have slowed in growth as crews continue to corral the flames, only burning an additional 3,887 acres since July 24. 

The Turner Gulch, Sowbelly, South Rim and Wright Draw fires prompted several evacuations and caused Gov. Jared Polis to issue a disaster declaration. The move allowed the state to mobilize its resources, including supplies, equipment and personnel, to assist in battling the blazes. The declaration also allowed Colorado to request aid from FEMA and other federal agencies, should that become necessary.

The declaration also included the Deer Creek fire in Utah, which crossed into Colorado’s Montrose County. Burning 17,724 acres, the wildfire hasn’t grown since July 24 and is at 92% containment.

The Sowbelly fire, at 2,274 acres, reached 95% containment July 25 and has since been fully contained. 

Here’s an update on the other western Colorado wildfires with numbers from InciWeb as of Saturday:

• Turner Gulch: 21,622 acres, 49% containment.

• South Rim: 4,232 acres, 52% containment. The North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was reopened to the public Wednesday.

• Wright Draw: 466 acres, 92% containment.

Nationally, there have been 40,945 wildfire incidents this year as of Saturday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Over 3.2 million acres have been burned. In 2024, a report from the center shows there were 64,897 wildfires that burned 8,924,884 acres. Both numbers were above the five- and 10-year averages.