By Shannon Lukens.
Fires continue to burn heavily in Rio Blanco County. There are closures and evacuations throughout the county with over 30,000 acres burned, at least. Check CoTrip.org for updates. The Facebook page for the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office has current updates.
If it is needed, the Moffat County School District has offered the auxiliary gym at Moffat County High School for any evacuees in Rio Blanco County.
Rio Blanco County Evacuation Zones
United Way of the Yampa Valley is gathering a list of volunteers who can help, if needed in an emergency.
LINK to Volunteer to help in Routt County
The Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds is providing emergency shelter for any livestock that has to be evacuated during the Elk and Lee Fires. Pens, stalls, and cages are available. The fairgrounds are also the Incident Command Post so animals will be left in the care of the facility manager and CSU Extension Staff.
More information is on the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
FACILITIES AVAILABLE:
- Outdoor pens and stalls for horses
- Small indoor pens for goats, sheep, and pigs
- Poultry cages
WHAT TO BRING:
- Hay or feed for poultry
- Water buckets
IMPORTANT: Due to the fairgrounds serving as the Incident Command Post, you will need to leave your animals in the care of the facility manager and CSU Extension staff. Nick and Dessa will handle all feeding, watering, and care.
CONTACT: Nick Smith, RBC Fairgrounds Manager
- 970-878-9498
- 970-755-1628
The 114th Annual Rio Blanco County Pioneer Association party is cancelled for this weekend.
Photos courtesy Moffat County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Chip McIntyre.
Sheriff Chip McIntyre with the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office says Hwy 40 closed Wednesday afternoon at Elk Springs due to the fires. Hwy 40 was closed late Wednesday from Maybell to nearly the town of Dinosaur. Check CoTrip.org for updates. This fire has been named the Twelve Fire.
A hay truck caught fire on Moffat County Road 29 Wednesday afternoon, which is the road to Elkhead. It started a wildland fire. Crews quickly were there. The road was closed but has reopened.Video of the Fire
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for Moffat County and also all lands managed by the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District, and also the BLM Little Snake Field Office within Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties.
No open flames or campfires, no smoking unless in an enclosed vehicle or building, no fireworks or tools with an open flame, no chainsaws. Also avoid parking in tall, dry grass, and check trailer chains to make sure they aren’t dragging and creating sparks.
From the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office — STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS TO BEGIN IN MOFFAT COUNTY – EFFECTIVE AUGUST 7, 2025 AT 12:01 AM
Each county has an emergency alert system, so that you can be notified in an emergency, or an evacuation, or road closures. Check with your local county’s website to find that link and make sure you sign up.
- Routt County Emergency Alert System
- Moffat County Emergency Alert System
- Rio Blanco County Emergency Alert System
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has a page on their website titled Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program which has resources and tips about how to be prepared if wildfire smoke is actively impacting your area. It can pose serious health risks, especially for children, older adults, and those with existing health conditions. Wear a mask, if you need to, to avoid inhaling micro-particulates from wildfire smoke. Limit your time outside and reduce physical activity outside, and close your windows and doors. Link for Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program
To check the air quality levels, to go PurpleAir.com.
Courtesy photo
The names of the victims of the fatal crash south of Kremmling Monday have been released by the Grand County Coroner. The family is from Kremmling. Manuel Cabral-Torres was 34. Andrea Banuelos-Salazar was 30. Their children in the car were Maria, age 12, Manuel, age 5, and Andres, age 2. Grand County Coroner Tawnya Bailey added in the press release, “The loss of an entire family is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are with all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time.”
The driver of the pickup truck was still in the hospital as of Tuesday and stable in the Intensive Care Unit. Colorado State Patrol is still investigating the crash.
More on the Story — Fatal crash south of Kremmling kills five
File photo of a wolf from Oregon, courtesy CPW
Another gray wolf that was reintroduced to Colorado from Oregon has died in Wyoming. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says they became aware of the death of female gray wolf 2304 on July 24, in Wyoming. CPW is coordinating with Wyoming Game and Fish for the return of the tracking collar. Wyoming state law prevents any further details from being shared.
Craig Police and members of the Moffat County Sheriff’s office responded to a domestic disturbance Tuesday evening. Crisis negotiators attempted to contact the man, but he was found deceased from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT ENDS IN SUSPECT TAKING OWN LIFE
Today is the Touch-A-Truck event, hosted by the City of Steamboat Springs. It’s an outdoor adventure for kids of all ages, that includes emergency vehicles, construction equipment, the Classic Air Medical Helicopter and more. Kids can climb and explore and have fun with all of the equipment. It’s from 10 a.m. to noon in the rodeo grounds parking lot.
Friends of Wilderness’s is having their 25th Anniversary Celebration from 4-7 tonight in Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill. All are invited and Smokey Bear plans to make a visit. Questions? Email shellyfriendsofwilderness@gmail.com
The Routt County Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. tonight.
The Town of Hayden is doing mosquito fogging mitigation Thursday evening, Aug. 7, depending on the weather.
The Hayden Market is at the 3rd Street Park from 5-8 p.m. this evening. Tonight is Hometown Heroes Day. Celebrate the local firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement and other community legends. Live music is from Faultline.
Mythology Distillery and the Community Ag Alliance are hosting a kickoff to the Routt County Fair. It is from 4:30-8 p.m. at Mythology on Thursday, Aug. 7. Tickets are $20, and proceeds benefit the Routt County Fair. JR Adams will be performing from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Campfire stories start at 7 p.m. with Todd Hagenbuch and Sarajane Snowden.
The Moffat County Fair continues today with the goat show this morning, and beef show at noon. Then the rodeo is tonight and the always popular Catch-A-Pig Contest. The Moffat County Fair is through the weekend at the fairgrounds in Craig. There is a fair schedule on our website or find out more at MoffatCountyFair.com
The Sheep Show was Wednesday and there are pictures on the KRAI Facebook page. Sheep Show Video
More on the Story — 2025 Moffat County Fair Schedule