The Elk and Lee fires in Rio Blanco County remained zero percent contained Tuesday morning after rapidly spreading overnight, according to a Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office news release.
The Elk Fire, east of Meeker, reached about 7,750 acres, according to the Tuesday morning statement.
The Lee Fire, west of Meeker, has combined with the Grease Fire and reached approximately 13,025 acres as of Tuesday morning.
At around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Colorado 13 closed from the intersection of Colorado 64 to the intersection of C.R. 5, according to a Tuesday afternoon update from the sheriff’s office.
C.R. 5 remained accessible as of 2 p.m. Tuesday. An alternate route is Rio Blanco County Road 13.
Livestock can be taken to the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds, 700 Sulphur Creek Road in Meeker, according to Watch Duty.
Over 290 personnel, including six hand crews, 30 fire engines and a dozer are battling the spread, according to the statement. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three is also assisting in containing both fires.
“Weather conditions and dry vegetation will once again challenge firefighters today,” states the release from the sheriff’s office. “Additional resources are mobilizing to both fires to relieve initial attack crews and will build off of their great work from the previous days.”
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for much of western Colorado, including Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. The warning will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The National Weather Service also issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for wildfire smoke from 9 a.m. Tuesday until 9 a.m. Wednesday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, evacuation orders were in place for the following areas:
- Colorado Highway 13 from mile marker 38 to mile marker 27 — both sides of the road
- Rio Blanco County Road 8 from mile marker 11 to mile marker 16
- Sleepy Cat to Lake Avery — north side of the road
- Rio Blanco County Road 40
- Rio Blanco County Road 49
- Rio Blanco County Road 63
- Recreationists near Yellow Jacket, Fawn Creek, Sleepy Cat Peak, Sawmill, and Forest Service Road 250
- Rio Blanco County Road 22 (Little Hills) off Rio Blanco County Road 5
- Rio Blanco County Road 76 between Rio Blanco County Road 3 and C.R. 5
- Colorado Highway 64 from mile marker 58 to mile marker 67
- South of Colorado 64, including Rio Blanco County Road 127, Rio Blanco County Road 129, Rio Blanco County Road 66 and Brightwater Lane
- Rio Blanco County Road 33
In addition to the road closures and evacuations, Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area, Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area, Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area and Piceance State Wildlife Area are closed until further notice, according to a Tuesday evening Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release.
Gates at the properties will remain open to aid firefighting efforts. CPW is asking the public to respect the closures in place despite the open gates.
The White River National Forest has also issued a public forest closure for firefighter and public safety in the area of the Elk fire in Rio Blanco County, according to a Tuesday U.S. Forest Service news release.
“We know the timing of this isn’t ideal,” said Meeker Area Wildlife Manager Johnathan Lambert in a statement. “This time of year, we see an increase in hunters in these areas, scouting and preparing for the upcoming big game hunting season. For your safety and the safety of the fire crews actively working in these areas, we ask that you please stay out of these areas.”
While crews are applying fire retardant from aircraft to slow the spread of the fires, and firefighters on the ground are “doing the heavy lifting,” said Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Public Information Officer Cece Lepa.
“The important thing to know is when the wind is high and there’s not enough boots on the ground, the retardant and the water aren’t as effective,” said Lepa. “We have had tankers flying, and we have some ordered to come in, but if it looks like there’s high fire activity, we need more people on the ground in order to properly track the plane and let the retardant land where it needs to go.”
Lepa noted that crews are still tracking down a nearby, reliable water source due to surrounding private property.
“Air operations are always looking for closer water sources for quicker turnaround time for aircraft to deliver water at critical areas,” added Lepa.
Officials said Meeker residents were not under a pre-evacuation or evacuation order as of Tuesday morning, but should remain prepared. For updated evacuation information, visit the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Structure protection crews will continue to assess structures in the Colorado Highway 64 corridor and Big Beaver drainage as they initiate protection plans.
Aircraft will fly over the fires to gain the scope of the perimeter and support firefighters but may be limited due to smoke and wind conditions, states the release.
To view updated fire information, visit TinyUrl.com/ys5fwkv7.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
