Honoring a Fallen Hero: Procession for Helicopter Pilot Nicholas Dale

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Colorado Department of Public Safety, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

Tomorrow, Monday, July 20th, we will honor the memory and sacrifice of helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, as a solemn procession escorts him from Montrose to Denver International Airport.

Nicholas tragically lost his life while protecting our communities during the Gold Mountain Fire wildfire operations. We invite community members along the route to join us in paying their final respects.

Procession schedule and route

July 20, 2026 Nicholas Dale procession route

Map depicts Montrose as start of procession at 7 a.m., with Grand Junction at approximately 8 a.m., Glenwood Springs as a Colorado State Patrol escort transfer point at 9:15 a.m., Vail at 10:15 a.m., and Silverthorne at 10:45 a.m., all marked along the route ending at Denver International Airport at noon Monday.


  • Departure: 7:00 a.m. from Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, CO.

  • Route: The convoy will travel the I-70 eastbound route.

  • Key pass-through areas: Major towns along the corridor, specifically Vail and Silverthorne.

  • Destination: Denver / Denver International Airport by approximately 12:00 PM.

Important safety guidelines for the public

To honor Nicholas safely and avoid causing traffic hazards on I-70, please strictly adhere to the following directives from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and traffic safety officials:

  • Where to gather: Please set up safely on overpasses and exit ramps to watch the procession pass.

  • Where NOT to gather: Do NOT stand, park, or set up along the shoulders of I-70 or any major highway. Keeping the shoulders entirely clear is vital for public safety and the flow of traffic.

  • What to expect: The procession will consist of a small convoy of 7–10 emergency and official vehicles. They will be driving with steady, non-flashing overhead light beams to maintain safety and prevent motorist confusion on the interstate.

Thank you for your cooperation, support, and for helping us honor a hero who gave everything to protect Colorado.

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CDPS website | facebook @COPublicSafety

COLORADO DIVISION OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
CDFPC website  | facebook @ColoradoFire

Honoring a Fallen Hero: Procession for Helicopter Pilot Nicholas Dale

NWS: Flash flood warning around Lee Fire burn scar

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National Weather Service

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
308 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a

  • Flash Flood Warning for…
    The Lee Burn Scar in…
    South Central Rio Blanco County in northwestern Colorado…
    Central Garfield County in west central Colorado…
  • Until 600 PM MDT.
  • At 308 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
    heavy rain over the Lee Burn Scar. Flash flooding is ongoing or
    expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the warning area will cause mud slides near steep terrain and County Road 5. The mud slide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Lee Burn
Scar.

SOURCE…Radar.

IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Lee Burn Scar.

  • Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…Rio Blanco.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks…streams…and ditches in the Lee Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters…climb to safety.

Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of creeks, roads and normally dry arroyos is likely. The heavy rains will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep terrain, especially in and around these areas.

NWS: Flash flood warning around Lee Fire burn scar

Carbondale Fire: White Hill fire

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Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District

UPDATE- 7:00 pm – the fire is out. Crews are mopping up the scene.

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ACTUALIZACIÓN – 7 p. m. – El incendio está extinguido.

Red Hill area fire near Carbondale

7.12.26, 3:58 p.m. – 3:58 pm – Firefighters are on scene of a less than 1 acre wildland fire above White Hill. Crews are on scene and actively fighting the fire. The power in the area has been turned off for firefighter safety. There are no evacuations necessary at this time.

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3:58 p. m. — Los bomberos se encuentran en el lugar de un incendio de vegetación de menos de un acre en la zona alta de White Hill. Las cuadrillas están combatiendo activamente el incendio.

Se cortó la electricidad en el área para proteger la seguridad de los bomberos. No es necesario realizar evacuaciones en este momento.

CARBONDALE & RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Carbondale Fire website | facebook @CarbondaleFireDistrict

Carbondale Fire: White Hill fire

National Weather Service issues heat advisory for the central Colorado River Basin

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The National Weather Service in Grand Junction, CO, has issued a heat advisory for the Central Colorado, Central Gunnison, and Uncompahgre river basins. This includes the cities of Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt, Montrose, Olathe, Delta, Hotchkiss, and Paonia.

The heat advisory remains in effect from noon on Saturday, July 11, to midnight on Monday, July 13.

  • What: prolonged hot conditions with temperatures in the 97 to 102 range this weekend through early next week.
  • Where: central Colorado River Basin and central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin.
  • When: from noon Saturday to midnight MDT on Monday night.
  • Impacts: heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events.
  • Additional details: near record temperatures will be possible during the event, especially on Sunday.

Precautionary/preparedness actions

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

National Weather Service issues heat advisory for the central Colorado River Basin

Grand Valley Fire: Battlement Trail Fire update

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Grand Valley Fire Protection District

Parachute, Colorado – July 6, 2026 – The Battlement Trail Fire, which started on July 5, 2026, at approximately 1645 hours, is now 99% contained. Fire crews will continue monitoring the area over the next several days before declaring full containment. The total fire area was mapped at 20.8 acres.

A coordinated multi-agency response ensured rapid progress toward containment.

Resources included:

  • Upper Colorado River Fire – Engines and unified command

  • Colorado River Fire Rescue – Engine and crew

  • De Beque Fire – Engine and crew

  • Angry Bear Firefighter LLC – Hand crew

  • Grand Valley Fire Protection District – Two Type 6 engines, one Type 1 structure engine, one tender, and command vehicles

  • Aviation support included three helicopters providing water drops, reconnaissance, and support to ground crews.

Local partners supported emergency operations throughout the incident. The Garfield County Emergency Manager, Parachute Police Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, and Garfield County Emergency Communications assisted with evacuations, road closures, and incident coordination.

Additional thanks go to the utilities and community partners who responded quickly to support affected residents and secure infrastructure: Holy Cross Energy, Xcel Energy, the Battlement Mesa Metro District, and Garfield 16 School District, which opened Grand Valley High School as an evacuation center.

Crews will remain on scene to secure the perimeter, address hotspots, and ensure the safety of nearby trails and recreation areas.

GRAND VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Grand Valley Fire website | facebook @Grand Valley Fire Protection District

Grand Valley Fire: Battlement Trail Fire update

Knowles Fire memorial donations

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U.S. Department of the Interior | BLM Colorado

Garfield County shares this information to provide a more detailed summary for public awareness to honor the commitment and dedication in respect of the five firefighters impacted by the Knowles Fire.

Knowle Fire Memorial Donations graphic

Knowles Fire Memorial Donation Information

Supporting and Honoring the Families and Firefighters Impacted by the Knowles Fire

Many individuals, organizations, and communities have asked how they can show their support. The following donation channels have been chosen by the families.

Individual and Family Support Opportunities

In Memory of Sydney Watson

Donate to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
This foundation provides support to injured wildland firefighters and the families of firefighters who died in the line-of-duty through immediate and long-term assistance, including travel, emergency financial support, and family services.

Donate to the National Park Foundation in Memory of Sydney Watson
Memorial gifts honor Sydney’s dedication to public lands while supporting the ongoing stewardship and preservation of America’s National Parks.

In Memory of Nicholas “Nick” Hutcherson

Support the Family of Nicholas A. Hutcherson (GoFundMe) This fund was established to provide direct support to Nick’s family and loved ones following his line-of-duty death.

In Memory of Emily Barker

Support Emily Barker’s Family (GoFundMe) This fund was established to assist Emily’s
family with travel and related expenses following her line-of-duty death.

Support For The Five Affected Firefighters and Families

Donate to the Snyder Fire Family Assistance Fund (Alpine Bank) Alpine Bank has established the Snyder Fire Firefighter Families Benefit Account to support the families of the five firefighters impacted by the Snyder Fire. The fund provides direct financial assistance to the families of the three firefighters who lost their lives and the two firefighters who were injured. Alpine Bank has contributed an initial $25,000, and community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to join in supporting these families during this incredibly difficult time. All donated funds will go directly to the affected families.

Thank you for standing with these firefighters, their families, and the entire wildland fire community during this difficult time.

Knowles Fire memorial donations

Grand Valley Fire: photos of fire

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Grand Valley Fire Protection District

Grand Valley Fire photos of Battlement Mesa fire

Update 5:35 PM: CORD 309 Battlement to Rulison – on READY status.

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Update 5:25 PM: Battlement Mesa Village/Battlement Mesa Golf EVACUATE NOW!

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New start, Battlement Trail Fire. Began as a power pole fire and has spread toward the Battlement Golf Course. Officers are going door to door for evacuations in the neighborhood adjacent to the golf course. Prepare to evacuate now and follow emergency notifications from Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority.

GRAND VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Grand Valley Fire website | facebook @Grand Valley Fire Protection District

GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
GCSO facebook @GarcoSheriff | website

Grand Valley Fire: photos of fire

GCSO: Residents may return to homes in Battlement Mesa

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Garfield County Sheriff, Grand Valley Fire

7.5.26, 9:30 pm – Residents of The Reserve/Battlement Mesa Village are now able to return to their homes. The fire will be monitored by crews overnight. Thank you.

Battlement Mesa Trail Fire July 5, 2026

Battlement Mesa Trail Fire July 5, 2026

Battlement Mesa Trail Fire July 5, 2026

Update: Traffic is reopened on CO RD 301.

Update 6:05 PM: Traffic is being allowed to exit down CO RD 301, leaving Battlement, however, no traffic is allowed to enter. Traffic being diverted to the Boat Ramp parking lot or being turned around.

7.5.26, 5:36 pm – COUNTY ROAD 309 BATTLEMENT MESA TO RULISON: Due to fire/fuego, you are in READY (GREEN) status. Prepare, monitor, and pack valuables. You will receive another message if your area’s status is changed.

Ready Set Go graphic

En español. De Garfield County Sheriff, Grand Valley Fire – COUNTY ROAD 309 BATTLEMENT MESA TO RULISON: Debido a fire/fuego, usted se encuentra en estado de preparación (VERDE). Prepárese, manténgase informado y empaque sus objetos de valor. Recibirá otro mensaje si cambia el estado de su zona.

Preparate, listo, fuera graphic
GCSO: Residents may return to homes in Battlement Mesa

GCSO: Battlement Mesa Golf/Battlement Creek Village immediate evacuation

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

7.5.26, 5:20 pm – From Garfield County Sheriff – Battlement Mesa Golf/Battlement Creek Village: due to fire/fuego, your status is GO (RED). Evacuate immediately.

Espa̱ol sigue. Desde Garfield County Sheriff РBattlement Mesa Golf/Battlement Creek Village: debido a fire/fuego, su estado es IR (ROJO). Evac̼e inmediatamente. Evacuate to Grand Valley High School.

GCSO: Battlement Mesa Golf/Battlement Creek Village immediate evacuation

GCSO: Fire at Battlement Mesa Golf Course

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

7.5.25, 4:50 p.m. – Emergency crews are responding to a fire at the Battlement Mesa Golf Course. Prepare for possible short notice evacuation.

Avoid the area and give first responders plenty of room to work. We will share updates as more information becomes available.

GCSO: Incendio en el campo de golf Battlement Mesa

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield

7 de mayo de 2025, 16:50 h – Los equipos de emergencia están respondiendo a un incendio en el campo de golf Battlement Mesa. Prepárense para una posible evacuación con poca antelación.

Eviten la zona y dejen suficiente espacio para que los servicios de emergencia puedan trabajar. Compartiremos actualizaciones a medida que tengamos más información.

GCSO: Fire at Battlement Mesa Golf Course