GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Today, the Bureau of Land Management issued a public land closure order to reopen some public lands in Garfield and Eagle Counties that were closed because of the Derby Fire. This modified order is effective immediately.
BLM issued the emergency closure Aug. 20 to ensure public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts and to reduce exposure to hazardous situations due to fire behavior of the Derby Fire.
This closure affects: BLM lands north and west of the town of Gypsum, Colorado, that are north of Sweetwater Road; west of the Colorado River; east of the White River National Forest boundary; and south of Derby Creek.
Please refer to the map on the following page and closure order (on theBLM website) for detailed information on the lands that are closed.
This order will remain in effect until fire managers declare the Derby Fire controlled or BLM rescinds the order. The public is to remain clear of the areas still closed. Please use caution and watch for firefighters when traveling in the area.
Violations of this emergency order may lead to prosecution, with fines and possible imprisonment.
We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety and resource integrity during this critical time. For more information about the land closure, please call the Colorado River Valley Field Office front desk at 970-876-9000. For more information about the Derby Fire, please call the fire information line at 970-355-3283.
Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado Start Date: 08/02/2025 Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 138,844 acres Containment: Lee Fire: 90%
208 Total Personnel; 1 Helicopter; 10 Engines; 1 Hand Crew; 1 Water Tender; 2 Dozers
KEY MESSAGE
Today, crews are continuing repair work in areas affected by suppression activities, following agency standards and working closely with Resource Advisors. These efforts aim to reduce the impacts of firefighting operations while protecting important natural and cultural resources. Fireline is being restored to local and agency standards, and patrols are underway to ensure the fire remains secure within its current footprint. Suppression repair operations will continue under the approved Suppression Repair Plan, minimizing impacts and supporting progress toward full containment
CURRENT STATUS
Yesterday, the FDNY Incident Management Team formally assumed command of the Lee Fire. Updated acreage was reported following the most recent infrared flight, which was completed after several earlier cancellations due to unfavorable weather conditions. This flight provided a clearer picture of current fire activity and perimeter status. Across all divisions, crews continued suppression repair, and debris removal, working closely with Resource Advisors to mitigate impacts and restore affected areas. These efforts remain a priority as containment objectives progress and conditions allow.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
The monsoonal pattern remains firmly in place, with rainfall probabilities near 100% over the coming days. Widespread cloud cover with embedded showers is moving across the area. Should clearing occur by midday, stronger thunderstorms are likely to develop, increasing the potential for flash flooding. If cloud cover persists, conditions remain limited to lighter, intermittent rain with minimal lightning or heavy downpours.
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire Quick Facts: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Total acreage: 5,346 acres 0% containment 844 personnel
Firefighters tested structure protection systems yesterday in the Sweetwater Canyon area. In this photo, a sprinkler wets down the lawn of a resident, drawing water from a foldable water tank. The water tanks are filled by fire engines or water tenders.
Pumps push the water from the water tank through hose lays to the sprinkler systems. Photo by Stephen Rawding/Derby Fire.
A strong thunderstorm will impact south central Garfield County through 2:15 p.m. MDT
At 1:51 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 18 miles northwest of De Beque, or 28 miles north of Grand Junction, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE Radar indicated.
IMPACT Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central Garfield County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Location:Â 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado Start Date:Â 08/02/2025 Cause:Â Lightning Size:Â Lee Fire: 137,758 acres Containment:Â Lee Fire: 90% 266 Total Personnel; 1 Helicopter; 9 Engines; 3 Hand Crews; 2 Water Tenders; 2 Dozers
KEY MESSAGE
Today at 0600, the FDNY Incident Management Team assumed command of the Lee fire. We extend our appreciation to the Northern Rockies IMT for their dedicated efforts and smooth transition. On the southwest flank, crews will continue patrolling and working to secure the fire’s perimeter. Suppression repair and debris removal will be ongoing across all divisions, conducted in coordination with resource advisors.
CURRENT STATUS
Yesterday, fire activity remained minimal, with only isolated creeping and smoldering observed within the perimeter. Crews concentrated on securing constructed line, conducting patrol and mop-up along existing containment, and advancing suppression repair in coordination with Resource Advisors. Continued rainfall is expected to elevate the risk of flash flooding and debris flows within burned and surrounding areas.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop again today, with skies clearing during the late morning before storms build in the afternoon. Daytime heating will drive thunderstorm development, with cumulus buildups after 11:00 signaling activity. A wet pattern will continue through the week, with a 90–100% chance of daily rainfall through Thursday. Storms may bring periods of heavy rain, frequent lightning, gusty outflow winds, and small hail.
Aug. 22, 2025 – An aircraft incident involving a helicopter assigned to the Derby Fire occurred today at 4:10 p.m.
There is an unconfirmed report that the aircraft is in a lake 13 miles northwest of the Eagle County Regional Airport. The pilot was picked up by another incident aircraft and flown to Eagle County Regional Airport. Local emergency medical personnel checked the pilot, who had minor bumps and bruises and desired no further medical attention.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified; it is unknown whether they will respond to the incident. A USDA Forest Service investigation team is enroute.
No further information will be released at this time.
Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado Start Date: 08/02/2025 Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,755 acres | Elk Fire: 14,518 acres Containment: Lee Fire: 76% | Elk Fire: 100%
400 Total Personnel; 5 Helicopters; 21 Engines; 2 Hand Crews; 9 Water Tenders; 3 Dozers
KEY MESSAGE
Pronounced smoke columns will continue to be visible from both the Lee and Elk Fires. This lingering activity is confined well within the interior of both fires and poses no threat to containment lines. It is driven by the persistent hot, dry weather and will occur until significant precipitation. As these islands of unburned vegetation are consumed, it serves to strengthen containment lines by removing fuels thereby reducing spotting potential.
CURRENT STATUS
Lee Fire – Yesterday, resources completed chipping operations on the east flank and will continue along the southern edge of the fire. With the hot, dry and windy conditions testing containment lines yesterday, firefighters extended staffing hours to monitor and reinforce lines to prevent any spread. Today, aviation and ground crews will continue yesterday’s work of cooling down a hot spot along the fire’s edge and improving fire lines. Contingency work will resume on a fuel break adjacent to the fire’s southern edge.
Elk Fire – Resources have completed much of the planned suppression repair efforts and will continue with heavy machine operations until completion over the next few days.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
A few showers will pass over the fire area this morning. More scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop in the afternoon, bringing chances of brief heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected this weekend with a significantly wetter period moving in the area late Sunday through Wednesday.
Equipo 1 de Gestión de Incidentes del Complejo de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte, Comandante de Incidentes Brent Olson
Ubicación: 11 millas al sur de Meeker, Colorado Fecha de inicio: 08/02/2025 Causa: Relámpago Tamaño: Lee Incendio: 137,755 acres | Incendio Elk: 14,518 acres Contención: Incendio Lee: 76% | Incendio Elk: 100% 400 Personal total; 21 camiones de bomberos; 5 helicópteros; 2 cuadrillas; 3 topadoras; 9 Licitaciones de agua
MENSAJE CLAVE Las columnas de humo pronunciadas seguirán siendo visibles desde los incendios Lee y Elk. Esta actividad persistente está confinada dentro del interior de ambos incendios y no representa una amenaza para las lÃneas de contención. Es impulsado por el clima cálido y seco persistente y ocurrirá hasta precipitaciones significativas. A medida que se consumen estas islas de vegetación no quemada, sirve para fortalecer las lÃneas de contención al eliminar los combustibles, lo que reduce el potencial de detección.
ESTADO ACTUAL: Incendio Lee – Ayer, los recursos completaron las operaciones de astillado en el flanco este y continuarán a lo largo del borde sur del incendio. Con las condiciones cálidas, secas y ventosas que pusieron a prueba las lÃneas de contención ayer, los bomberos extendieron las horas de personal para monitorear y reforzar las lÃneas para evitar cualquier propagación. Hoy, los equipos de aviación y tierra continuarán el trabajo de ayer de enfriar un punto caliente a lo largo del borde del incendio y mejorar las lÃneas de fuego. El trabajo de contingencia se reanudará en un descanso de combustible adyacente al borde sur del incendio.
Incendio Elk – Recursos ha completado gran parte de los esfuerzos de reparación de supresión planificados y continuará con las operaciones de maquinaria pesada hasta su finalización en los próximos dÃas.
CIERRES Y MENSAJES ESPECIALES Piceance Creek Road (CR 5) permanece cerrada. Para obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre evacuaciones y cierres de carreteras para el condado de RÃo Blanco, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo Blanco en: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice. Para obtener actualizaciones del condado de Garfield, visite: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. La información sobre el cierre del Bosque Nacional White River está disponible en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. La información sobre el cierre de la oficina de campo de BLM White River está disponible en: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.
