Elk Fire (CO)

Ended · 0% contained · 1,980 acres · started 2026-07-09 · updated 2026-07-16

True color Fire (SWIR)

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True color (left): as the eye sees it.
Infrared / SWIR (right): sees through smoke.

🟢 green = vegetation
🟤 red/brown = burned
🟠 orange = active fire

Imagery: Sentinel-2 (Copernicus). Drag to compare smoke vs. infrared.

Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).

Burning for seven days, the Elk Fire near Lake City, Colorado, has expanded at an average rate of approximately 283 acres per day, now encompassing 1,980 acres of federal timberland. Satellite data from NASA FIRMS has identified 19 heat signatures within the last 48 hours, underscoring the active nature of the blaze as it continues to exhibit spotting behavior seven miles northwest of the city.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team is currently overseeing 223 personnel assigned to the fire, which remains zero percent contained. With a total suppression cost reaching $3,379,757, the USFS-led operation is focused on managing the fire within Hinsdale County as it burns through heavy litter and understory.