P-L Gulch Fire (CO)

Active · 5% contained · 1,404 acres · started 2026-07-13 · updated 2026-07-15

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).

The P-L Gulch Fire, burning for two days, has expanded at an approximate rate of 702 acres per day, reaching a total of 1,404 acres southwest of Meeker, Colorado. Satellite heat signatures from NASA FIRMS have identified 14 detections within the last 48 hours, highlighting the intensity of the blaze as it consumes two-foot brush across federal land in Rio Blanco County.

Currently managed as a Type 1 Incident with a Type 3 Incident Commander, the fire remains active with reports of running, torching, and long-range spotting. A crew of 95 personnel is working to contain the human-caused fire, which is currently 5 percent contained at a cost of $500,000.