GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - Here is the latest on some of the major wildfires burning in the west. On Tuesday, July 22nd, Mesa County officials declared a local disaster emergency to help with the firefighting efforts.

As firefighters continue to increase the level of containment, investigators say they have identified a suspect for the 17,000-acre Deer Creek Fire.

As of 1 p.m. on July 21, 2025, all private lands along Highway 141 have been released from pre-evacuation status. The Big Creek Evacuation Zone and Divide Forks

The Deer Creek Fire, which started in eastern Utah and has already destroyed several structures, has crossed the state line into Colorado, state fire officials said.

The "iconic and magical" cottonwood trees are the keystone species of the plant world and they're disappearing from Utah riverbanks. Scientists are trying to protect thembut budget freezes by President Trump jeopardizes the work.

At just over 12,900 acres, the fire is bigger than all the other western slope fires combined and is one of several fires that prompted Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to issue a disaster declaration on Sunday.