Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
As of late afternoon on Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Derby Fire is 5,346 acres in size, with 0% containment and 648 personnel. Firefighters were able to conduct a successful burnout operation in the Horse Creek Drainage on the southern side of the fire before the afternoon rain. Line construction continued along the southwest and southeast edges of the fire.
Firefighters had strong support from aerial resources today, working with both retardant and water drops. Two military modular air firefighting systems (MAFFs) and supporting personnel arrived to assist with retardant drops. Aircraft aiding firefighting operations included four single-engine airtankers (SEATs), one large air tanker (LAT), two heavy helicopters, and a helicopter flying reconnaissance missions which also retrieved firefighters dropped off to tackle spot fires. When many aircraft are flying, in-air coordination is needed! Two air attack planes coordinated retardant and water bucket drops, a lead plane guided the large tankers and two Type 3 helicopters acted as communications repeaters.
The fire received widespread rain with heavier amounts in some areas. However, rain may not have penetrated denser tree canopies.
The photo below was taken late afternoon on Saturday, August 23, where the southeast edge of the fire grew. Look closely to see a helicopter dropping water along the fire edge. Photo by NIki Carpenter/Derby Fire.
The Bureau of Land Management is reopening a portion of public lands in Rio Blanco County, while keeping other identified lands closed due to recent activity on the Lee Fire.
This closure order opens the public lands previously closed outside of the Lee Fire perimeter bounded by Rio Blanco County Road (RBC) 5, RBC 26, RBC 29, and RBC 87, north of the Rio Blanco and Garfield County line, west of Highway 13 and south of Highway 64.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1
The Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 extends its sincere gratitude to the communities of Meeker and Rifle for their support throughout our tenure in the area.
On Monday, August 25, we will officially transfer command of the Lee Fire to the FDNY Incident Management Team. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served you.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Incident meteorologist, Ryan Fliehman, discusses the environmental conditions that have driven recent fire growth, as well as the weather outlook for the next few days. Thunderstorms forming to the north and west of the fire have created gusty, persistent, outflow winds that flow over the face of the fire and push it downslope into the canyons. In the evening and nighttime hours, diurnal winds that occur as cool air sinks have also pushed the fire. We are expecting storms this afternoon, which will increase wind activity in the canyons, but will increase the chance of rainfall today. More meaningful precipitation levels are expected into this week.
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Flash Flood Warning National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1217 PM MDT Sun Aug 24 2025
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a
Flash Flood Warning for… Central Rio Blanco County in northwestern Colorado… Central Garfield County in west central Colorado…
Until 215 PM MDT.
At 1217 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Emergency personnel have reported debris flows across County Road 5.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. A debris flow has been reported across County Road 5.
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 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.
The Derby Fire grew in the late afternoon into the night on Saturday, August 23, on the southeast flank of the fire, as winds pushed the fire southeast. Secondary contingency lines are in place. Firefighters will be assessing the fire edge in that area and looking for opportunities to engage with handcrews, dozers, and aerial retardant drops. Thunderstorms moving through the area this afternoon could inhibit operations.
Firefighters are working on structure protection along Red Dirt Creek Road. Hotshots and handcrews are working to construct handline on the eastern side of the fire.
Firefighters have prepped more than 500 structures in the Sweetwater drainage corridor, with work continuing today. Hotshot crews have constructed direct fireline to the Hack Creek drainage on the southwest flank. They will continue to work along the southwest to west flank of the fire and will work north as terrain and weather conditions allow. On the southern side of the fire, burnout operations on Saturday August 23 were successful in removing unburned fuel from between the fire edge and the constructed fireline. If the weather allows, burnout operations will continue on that south edge. Burnout operations reduce the potential for fire spotting into unburned areas, and reduce the intensity of the fire along the fireline.
Issued for western Eagle and eastern Garfield Counties Issued at 6:42 AM MDT, Sunday, August 24, 2025
Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Affected Area: Western Eagle and eastern Garfield Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Sweetwater Lake and Dotsero.
Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Sunday, August 24, 2025 to 9:00 AM MDT, Monday, August 25, 2025
Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
Outlook: Smoke from the Derby Fire is impacting parts of central Colorado. The heaviest smoke is expected in areas near the fire and in low-lying areas during the overnight and early morning hours, including Sweetwater Lake and Colorado River Road between Dotsero and Burns.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3 Incident Commander Mike Behrens
Location: 13 miles north of Dotsero, CO Start date: 8/16/2025 Cause: Lightning Size: Est. 5248 acres Completion/Containment: 0% 525 total personnel
Key Message:
Firefighters are working to build and strengthen control lines along the Derby Fire’s west, south, and east perimeters. Aircraft supported ground operations by dropping water and flame retardant on the east and west flanks. The Colorado River Rd. closure has been extended south, closing access to Coffeepot Road.
Current Status:
The east side of the Derby Fire was more active on Saturday, and three aircraft dropped water and flame retardant to slow its spread down the slopes of its southeast flank. The fire is growing slowly on other parts of its south perimeter, where firefighters are constructing control lines from a network of roads, dozer line, and hand line. On Saturday they worked to strengthen and widen those fire lines and plan to continue on Sunday if weather and conditions permit. Other crews have protected over 500 structures by positioning sprinkler kits and removing surrounding fuels. The White River National Forest has expanded their closure order to include the area southwest of Sweetwater Lake to the west rim of Deep Creek Canyon. The Colorado River Rd. closure has been extended south, from the Dotsero roundabout’s north side to Red Dirt Rd. Note that Coffeepot Rd. cannot be accessed from its intersection with Colorado River Rd.
Weather and Fire Behavior:
Outflow winds have begun to push the Derby Fire south, but there is a good chance of wetting rain on Sunday. Rainfall may also be accompanied by some lightning. Daytime smoke and nighttime fire glows may be visible.
Closures and Special Messages:
Eagle County has issued an evacuation notice for residents of Sweetwater Rd. and Red Dirt Creek. Zones GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366, and 369 are in pre-evacuation status. More evacuation information is available at www.ecemergency.org, including where to shelter and resources for pets and livestock.
Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes del Complejo de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte Comandante de Incidentes Mike Behrens Ubicación: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025; Causa: Rayo Tamaño: Est. 5248 acres Finalización/Contención: 0% – 525 Personal total
Mensaje clave:
Los bomberos están trabajando para construir y fortalecer las lÃneas de control a lo largo de los perÃmetros oeste, sur y este del incendio de Derby. Los aviones apoyaron las operaciones terrestres lanzando agua y retardantes de llama en los flancos este y oeste. El cierre de Colorado River Rd. se ha extendido hacia el sur, cerrando el acceso a Coffeepot Rd.
Estado actual:
El lado este del incendio Derby estaba más activo el sábado, y tres aviones arrojaron agua y retardante para frenar su propagación por las laderas de su flanco sureste. El incendio está creciendo lentamente en otras partes de su perÃmetro sur, donde los bomberos están construyendo lÃneas de control a partir de una red de carreteras, lÃnea de topadoras y lÃnea de mano. El sábado trabajaron para fortalecer y ampliar esas lÃneas de fuego y planean continuar el domingo si el clima y las condiciones lo permiten. Otras cuadrillas han protegido más de 500 estructuras colocando kits de rociadores y retirando los combustibles circundantes. El Bosque Nacional White River ha ampliado su orden de cierre para incluir el área al suroeste del lago Sweetwater hasta el borde oeste de Deep Creek Canyon. El cierre de Colorado River Rd. se ha extendido hacia el sur, desde el lado norte de la rotonda de Dotsero hasta Red Dirt Rd. Tenga en cuenta que no se puede acceder a Coffeepot Rd. desde su intersección con Colorado River Rd.
El condado de Eagle ha emitido un aviso de evacuación para los residentes de Sweetwater Rd. y Red Dirt Creek. Las zonas GYF-263, 266-A, 267, 300, 366 y 369 están en estado previo a la evacuación. Hay más información sobre evacuación disponible en www.ecemergency.org, incluido dónde refugiarse y recursos para mascotas y ganado.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Updated 8/24/25, 8:00 am – Good morning, all, the updated acreage here reflects information recieved from an infrared flight flown last night, which was not yet available at our time of posting this morning. Personnel numbers and containment percentages remain the same.
Derby Fire quick facts: August 24, 2025 Total acreage: 5,248 acres 0% containment 525 personnel/resources #DerbyFire#FireYear2025
Morning sunlight rises over the tents at the Derby Fire Incident Command Post near Eagle, CO. Mobile incident command posts often use yurts or tents as workspace for the units involved in managing incidents. Photo by Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1
Incident Commander Brent Olson
Location:Â Â 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado Start Date:Â 08/02/2025 Cause:Â Lightning Size:Â Lee Fire: 137,758 acres | Elk Fire: 14,518 acres Containment:Â Lee Fire: 86% | Â Elk Fire: 100% 287 Total Personnel;Â Â 5 Helicopters;Â Â 12 Engines;Â Â 3 Hand Crews;Â Â 5 Water Tenders;Â Â 3 Dozers
KEY Message
The FDNY Type 3 Incident Management Team has arrived on the incident and will be shadowing the Northern Rockies Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 today. Command of the Lee Fire will be turned over to the FDNY Type 3 Team at 0600 Monday morning. The Elk Fire will be returned to the local unit at the same time.
Current Status
Lee Fire – Yesterday aviation was utilized to cool down hot spots adjacent to the perimeter. Crews continued their increased patrols and perimeter checks, extinguished hot spots and strengthened lines where needed. Today firefighters will remove the last of the structure protection equipment. Patrols will continue along the fire perimeter. Crews will finish chipping operations and continue debris removal operations from previous fuels reduction work.
Elk Fire – Resources have completed the planned suppression repair and will be returning command of the fire back over to the local unit. There will be no more updates on this fire.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Scattered rain showers are expected on Sunday afternoon with the possibility of thunderstorm development. A week-long wet pattern will bring rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the fire area, with notable wetting rainfall by the end of the week. Numerous thunderstorms each day could bring heavy rain, small hail, lightning, and outflow winds of 25-35 mph.
