""Denver-based nonprofit law firm Towards Justice on Wednesday sent a cease-and-desist letter to Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario alleging that his office has been “violating Colorado law limiting local law enforcement collaboration with civil immigration enforcement” and demanding a stop to these actions."

#Colorado #GarfieldCounty #ICENews #ICE
https://aspenjournalism.org/law-firm-sends-cease-and-desist-letter-to-garfield-county-sheriff-over-alleged-unlawful-immigration-enforcement/

Widtsoe land use adjustment project. Garfield County, Utah. Excavating new spillway of Tropic Dam

#Widtsoe #GarfieldCounty #TropicDam #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange

https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017762899/

Widtsoe land use adjustment project. Garfield County, Utah. Loading boulder on stone boat, while excavating new spillway of Tropic Dam

#Widtsoe #GarfieldCounty #TropicDam #America #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange

https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017762898/

#DerbyFire #EagleFire #GarfieldCounty #COwx
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Adam Johnson, Reporter
Aug 24 at 10:52 PM EDT
Evacuation Information from the Eagle County Sheriff's Office:

Eagle/Garfield Counties - Starting Monday, August 25 at 10 a.m., the Eagle County and Garfield County Sheriff’s Offices, in coordination with Derby Fire managers, will begin transitioning Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek from full evacuation to pre-evacuation (SET) status. This change will allow residents to return to their properties while remaining prepared to leave if conditions change.

"We’re grateful to offer limited access so residents can rest in their homes for now. That said, livestock are not to be returned yet, as fire activity could shift and safety remains our top priority.

This is not a full repopulation, as the risks are still very high and residents should remain prepared to vacate at any time,” said James Van Beek, Eagle County Sheriff.

To protect both residents and fire crews, travel within the restricted area must remain extremely limited. If travel is essential, the best window is between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when conditions are safest and least disruptive to emergency operations.

They are working closely with the school district to ensure continuity for students. School buses will run at their normal times, with pickup and drop-off occurring at regular locations. This is considered essential travel and will be supported throughout the response.

https://share.watchduty.org/i/60409?ts=1756090379000

#DerbyFire #EagleCounty #GarfieldCounty

Adam Johnson, Reporter
Aug 24 at 10:18 PM EDT

As of late afternoon on Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Derby Fire is 5,346 acres in size, with 0% containment and 648 personnel. Firefighters were able to conduct a successful burnout operation in the Horse Creek Drainage on the southern side of the fire before the afternoon rain. Line construction continued along the southwest and southeast edges of the fire.

Firefighters had strong support from aerial resources today, working with both retardant and water drops. Two military modular air firefighting systems (MAFFs) and supporting personnel arrived to assist with retardant drops. Aircraft aiding firefighting operations included four single-engine airtankers (SEATs), one large air tanker (LAT), two heavy helicopters, and a helicopter flying reconnaissance missions which also retrieved firefighters dropped off to tackle spot fires. Two air attack planes coordinated retardant and water bucket drops, a lead plane guided the large tankers, and two Type 3 helicopters acted as communications repeaters.

The fire received widespread rain with heavier amounts in some areas. However, rain may not have penetrated denser tree canopies, per Derby Fire Colorado.

https://share.watchduty.org/i/60409?ts=1756088332000

#DerbyFire #EagleCounty #GarfieldCounty #COwx

Adam Johnson, Reporter
Aug 24 at 1:40 PM EDT

Operations Update: Friday afternoon, Aug. 24, 2025 from Operations Section Chief Philip Knaub. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C1iUZzV98/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://share.watchduty.org/i/60409?ts=1756057232000

#DerbyFire #EagleCounty #GarfieldCounty #COwx
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Weather and Fire Behavior: Outflow winds have begun to push the Derby Fire south, but light rains and cooler temperatures are aiding firefighting efforts. Chances of wetting rain will increase through the next week. Daytime smoke and nighttime glows from the fire may be visible.

Closures and Special Messages:

Eagle County has issued an evacuation notice for residents of Sweetwater Rd. and Red Dirt Creek. Zones GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366, and 369 are in pre-evacuation status. More evacuation information is available at www.ecemergency.org, https://sites.google.com/eaglecounty.us/ecemergency/8-17-25-derby-fire including where to shelter and resources for pets and livestock.

Read the full update from Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3 HERE https://production-watchduty.s3.amazonaws.com/inbound_emails/c641ad6076a546956aff9583132d62096018a598031b47c00f94903891a01665/Derby_Fire_Update_-_August_23__2025.pdf

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#DerbyFire #EagleCounty #GarfieldCounty #COwx
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Jaimee Whitfield, Reporter
Aug 23 at 2:55 PM EDT

Current Status: Outflow winds have begun to push the Derby Fire south towards the Sweetwater Canyon area. Crews have worked to protect over 350 structures by positioning sprinkler kits and removing surrounding fuels. Other firefighters have constructed about 3 total miles of dozer and hand lines along the fire’s southern perimeter using existing roads to connect them and form control lines. Aircraft are supporting firefighting efforts by dropping water and flame retardant along the west flank. The Forest Service is investigating an accident that took place on Friday involving a helicopter assigned to the Derby Fire. The pilot was checked by local medical personnel and is reported to be in good condition with only minor injuries. Incident managers held a community meeting Friday evening to engage the public and answer questions. The Colorado River Rd. closure has been extended south, from the Dotsero roundabout’s north side to Red Dirt Rd.

https://share.watchduty.org/i/60409?ts=1755975306000

#LeeFire #GarfieldCounty #RioBlancoCounty

Katlyn C, Staff Reporter
Aug 22 at 10:44 AM EDT

…Current status: Lee Fire – Yesterday, resources completed chipping operations on the east flank and will continue along the southern edge of the fire. With the hot, dry and windy conditions testing containment lines yesterday, firefighters extended staffing hours to monitor and reinforce lines to prevent any spread. Today, aviation and ground crews will continue yesterday’s work of cooling down a hot spot along the fire’s edge and improving fire lines. Contingency work will resume on a fuel break adjacent to the fire’s southern edge.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A few showers will pass over the fire area this morning. More scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop in the afternoon, bringing chances of brief heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected this weekend with a significantly wetter period moving in the area late Sunday through Wednesday.

Read the full update HERE https://production-watchduty.s3.amazonaws.com/inbound_emails/bbfce8d3416a2a8325d9642f9c5cdae74c192630d1c776effc7503f8f9d41a34/MediaRelDailyUpdate_20250822_001004.pdf

https://share.watchduty.org/i/58471?ts=1755873874000

#LeeFire #ElkFireRBX #GarfieldCounty #RioBlancoCounty #COwx

Lee Fire Update - Friday, August 15, 2025 from InciWeb:

Special Announcement: A community meeting for the Lee and Elk fires will be held on Saturday, August 16, at 7:00 P.M. at the Meeker High School, 550 School St, in Meeker, CO.

Important Note: The BLM has reopened a portion of public lands in Rio Blanco County while keeping other identified areas closed due to recent activity on the Lee Fire. Visit BLM Colorado Fire on Facebook for additional Info…

Current Situation: …critically low fuel moisture will continue to drive fire behavior. Conditions are expected to remain slightly below critical thresholds, with the potential for isolated torching and spotting, particularly in unburned pockets inside established containment lines. Crews will patrol and mop up any hotspots to reinforce firelines on the west side and along the Highway 13 corridor. Interior burning is anticipated to continue north of County Road 5. Heavy equipment, fire crews, and aviation resources will continue to work to hold the spot fire south of County Road 5. 

Weather & Fire Behavior: Cloud cover and a slight increase in moisture are expected, though the potential for wetting rain remains low. Temperatures will be in the lower 80s with midday west/northwest winds at 6-12 mph and gusts up to 26 mph. Dry thunderstorms may develop, bringing erratic, gusty winds and the potential for rapid changes in fire behavior...

https://share.watchduty.org/i/58471?ts=1755274762000