Fire 227 Gas Pipeline Rupture 2025

On July 17, 2025, at 1445, the Upper Colorado River Interagency Central Zone Fire resources were dispatched to Initial Attack 227 in Cottonwood Flats. This was a rapidly expanding brush and grass fire on a steep slope near the community of Rulison. This is an area with known oil and gas infrastructure and wells. Two above-ground natural gas lines were located near the heel of the fire, one steel and the other a “FlexSteel” pipe. The FlexSteel pipe ruptured and caused a high pressure gas-fueled fire.