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Elk and Lee Fire afternoon update

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Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Afternoon update

August 12, 2025, 6:21 p.m. – Burning operations in the southwest area of the Lee Fire along County Road 5 went well today, and that work is holding as expected.

Crews are also working to contain a spot fire south of County Road 5 that is showing increased activity this afternoon. Aircraft will be in the area, and dozers are building containment line. If needed, firefighters may use offensive firing operations to support their efforts.

Check your zone on this INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (search your address).

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office
BLM Colorado Fire
Bureau of Land Management – Colorado

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest
Bureau of Land Management Fire
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com, INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net, FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Elk and Lee Fire afternoon update

CRFR: Brush fire along I-70 near New Castle contained

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Colorado River Fire Rescue

Colorado River Fire Rescue Responds to Brush Fire Along I-70

August 12, 2025, 6:02 p.m. – At approximately 3:23 p.m. today, Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) crews from New Castle were dispatched to a reported brush fire just east of the I-70 eastbound on-ramp at mile marker 105. Upon arrival, crews found an active fire in grass/brush mixed vegetation along the interstate.

Thanks to a swift and coordinated response, the fire was contained to 6.8 acres, using the interstate and river as anchor points. The cause of the fire was determined to be a trailer that had lost a wheel, which ignited dry grasses along the roadway.

CRFR responded with two Type Six engines, a tender, a Battalion Chief, and two Chief officers. CRFR extends sincere appreciation to our partnering agencies, whose quick assistance was critical in stopping this fire: the Glenwood Fire Department, Interagency Fire crews and personnel, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, and the New Castle Police Department.

“This incident is a reminder of how quickly fire can spread in our current dry conditions,” said Incident Command Messner of Colorado River Fire Rescue. “We are grateful for the teamwork and dedication of all agencies involved, and for the quick action that kept this from becoming a larger incident.”

CRFR encourages the public to remain diligent in all activities during stage two burn restrictions and to always be aware of their surroundings to prevent such incidents.

Leif Sackett
Fire Chief
Colorado River Fire Rescue

CRFR: Brush fire along I-70 near New Castle contained

Zone 70 moving to GO status (red)

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Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

August 9, 2025, 1:51 p.m. – Zone 70 is the first zone in Garfield County to move to red status or GO NOW. The Lee Fire is moving southwest from Highway 13. The best route out is to move south on County Road 253 (Piceance Creek Road) to Highway 13 and proceed down to Rifle, local traffic will be let through this closed route.

Link to INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (you can search your address here)

Follow these channels for updates: Elk and Lee Fire Information page, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office @garcosheriff, Garfield County 911 @garco911, and garfieldcounty.net for updates.

Reminder if you are in need of the most current fire information on evacuation levels and live in Garfield County please register for emergency alerts at https://garco911.com/emergency-notification-system/. If you live in Rio Blanco County please register for alerts at https://rbc.us/AlertCenter.aspx?CID=Emergency-Alert-12. 

La zona 70 pasa al estado GO (rojo)

9 de agosto de 2025, 1:51 p.m. – La zona 70 es la primera zona en el condado de Garfield en pasar al estado rojo o SALIR AHORA. El incendio de Lee se está moviendo hacia el suroeste desde la autopista 13. La mejor ruta de salida es moverse hacia el sur por County Road 253 (Piceance Creek Road) hasta la autopista 13 y continuar hasta Rifle, el tráfico local podrá pasar por esta ruta cerrada.

Enlace al MAPA DE EVACUACIĂ“N INTERACTIVO (puedes buscar tu direcciĂłn aquĂ­).

Siga estos canales para obtener actualizaciones: Elk and Lee Fire Information page, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office @garcosheriff, Garfield County 911 @garco911, and garfieldcounty.net para actualizaciones.

Recordatorio: si necesita la información más actualizada sobre incendios y niveles de evacuación y vive en el condado de Garfield, regístrese para recibir alertas de emergencia en https://garco911.com/emergency-notification-system/. Si vive en el condado de Río Blanco, regístrese para recibir alertas en https://rbc.us/AlertCenter.aspx?CID=Emergency-Alert-12 .

GCSO: Evacuate livestock to Parachute Rodeo Grounds

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

August 9, 2025 – If evacuations are ordered, the Parachute Rodeo Grounds (100 La Plata Circle) can hold livestock. Plan your transportation now. Bring feed, water and medications and have halters and leads ready. We hope this won’t be needed, but being prepared helps keep people and animals safe.

GCSO: Evacuar el ganado a Parachute Rodeo Grounds

9 de agosto de 2025 – Si se ordenan evacuaciones, el Parachute Rodeo Grounds (100 La Plata Circle) puede albergar ganado. Planifique su transporte ahora. Lleve alimento, agua y medicamentos, y tenga listos cabestros y correas. Esperamos que esto no sea necesario, pero estar preparados ayuda a mantener a las personas y a los animales a salvo.

Zone 70 moving to GO status (red)

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke in eastern Garfield County

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Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

August 4, 2025, 8:15 a.m. – Issued for eastern Rio Blanco, eastern Garfield, Eagle, and Routt counties by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Affected area: eastern Rio Blanco, eastern Garfield, Eagle, and Routt counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Meeker, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, El Jebel, Basalt, Eagle, Vail, and Steamboat Springs.

Advisory in effect: 9 a.m. MDT, Monday, August 4, 2025 to 9 a.m. MDT, Tuesday, August 5, 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 several fires in Rio Blanco and Garfield counties will produce areas of moderate to heavy smoke on Monday and Tuesday. The greatest impacts are expected in areas in the immediate vicinity of these fires, particularly in sheltered areas and low lying terrain. Additional smoke impacts may be experienced across the advisory area due to transport of smoke on Monday and Tuesday.

CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke in eastern Garfield County

PRE-EVACUATION: CR 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) to main Rulison exit, mile marker 81, due to fire

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

A scorched hillside in the Cottonwood Fire near Rulison, CO.

July 18, 2025, 5:22 p.m. – If you live east of mile marker 4 on County Road 309, please use the Rulison exit to access your home. If you live west of mile marker 1.9 on County Road 309, please use the Parachute exit to access your home.

July 18, 2025, 4:41 p.m. – Fire crews made good progress today. As of 5 p.m., County Road 309 will move to pre-evacuation status. The road will remain closed to the public but open to residents. The fire has held steady at approximately 310 acres throughout the day.

July 18, 2025, 9:56 a.m. – All evacuations remain in place at this time. Please do not call Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (dispatch) for updates — their lines are overwhelmed, and it’s critical we keep them clear for emergencies.

We’ll share updates as soon as we have them. Fires can be unpredictable, and information isn’t always immediately available. We appreciate your patience as we work to keep everyone safe. Parachute Police Department Grand Valley Fire Protection District

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

July 18, 2025, 5:05 p.m. – Evacuated County road 309 residents: Evacuation has been lifted and you may return home. Be prepared to evacuate again if needed due to fire activity. Addresses greater than 4000, access your home via Rulison. Addresses lower than 1900, access your home via Battlement mesa.

July 17, 2025, 10:20 p.m. – Road open – Hwy 6 is open between mile-markers 77 and 83 both directions, Parachute to Rulison.

July 17, 2025, 4:38 p.m. – EVACUATION: County road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) to main Rulison exit, mile marker 81: Due to the fire, evacuate the area immediately.

17 de julio de 2025, 4:38 p.m. – EVACUACIĂ“N: Carretera del condado 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) hasta la salida principal de Rulison, marcador de milla 81: Debido al incendio, evacue el área de inmediato.

PRE-EVACUATION: CR 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) to main Rulison exit, mile marker 81, due to fire

Evacuate immediately: All residences within one mile of 1800 County Road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) due to fire; Highway 6 closed

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

July 17, 2025, 4:38 p.m. – EVACUATION: County road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) to main Rulison exit, mile marker 81: Due to the fire, evacuate the area immediately.

17 de julio de 2025, 4:38 p.m. – EVACUACIĂ“N: Carretera del condado 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) hasta la salida principal de Rulison, marcador de milla 81: Debido al incendio, evacue el área de inmediato.

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

A fire burns off County Road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road).

July 17, 2025, 4:38 p.m. – Brush fire is burning on County Road 309, just south of I-70 near mile marker 79 (between Parachute and Rulison).
Evacuations: Residents within a one-mile radius of 1800 County Road 309 are under evacuation orders.
Road closures: Highway 6 is closed in both directions between mile markers 77 and 83 (Parachute to Rulison).

17 de julio de 2025, 16:38 – Un incendio forestal arde en la carretera del condado 309, justo al sur de la I-70, cerca del kilĂłmetro 79 (entre Parachute y Rulison).
Evacuaciones: Se ordena la evacuaciĂłn a los residentes en un radio de una milla alrededor del kilĂłmetro 1800 de la carretera del condado 309.
Cierres de carreteras: La autopista 6 está cerrada en ambas direcciones entre los kilómetros 77 y 83 (de Parachute a Rulison).

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

July 17, 2025, 4:25 p.m. – Highway 6 is closed between mile markets 77 and 83, both directions, Parachute to Rulison, due to a fire.

17 de julio de 2025, 16:25 – La autopista 6 está cerrada entre los mercados de millas 77 y 83, en ambas direcciones, de Parachute a Rulison, debido a un incendio.

July 17, 2025, 3:11 p.m. – Residences in one mile of 1800 County Road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Rd): Due to a fire, evacuate the area immediately.

17 de julio de 2025, 3:11 p. m. – Residencias en una milla de 1800 County Road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Rd): Debido a un incendio, evacue el área de inmediato.

Grand Valley Fire Protection District

July 17, 2025, 3:04 p.m. – New vegetation fire: Cottonwood Fire. Evacuations have been requested for a 1 mile radius around the fire, per unit on scene. Pre-Evacuations have been requested for a 2-mile radius around the fire.

17 de julio de 2025, 15:04 – Nuevo incendio de vegetaciĂłn: Incendio Cottonwood. Se solicitan evacuaciones en un radio de 1 milla alrededor del incendio, por unidad en el lugar. Se solicitan preevacuaciones en un radio de 2 millas alrededor del incendio.

Parachute Police Department

July 17, 2025, 4:24 p.m. – ATTENTION: Cottonwood Park Rodeo Grounds, 100 La Plata Cir, Parachute, is open for your evacuated livestock.

17 de julio de 2025, 4:24 p.m. – ATENCIĂ“N: Cottonwood Park Rodeo Grounds, 100 La Plata Cir, Parachute, está abierto para su ganado evacuado.

July 17, 2025, 4:54 p.m. – Please go to https://garco911.com/emergency-notification-system/ and subscribe in order to receive the most up to date information. Thank you.

Parachute and Battlement Mesa are NOT under evacuation/pre-evacuation order at this time. Current fire activity is going east.

17 de julio de 2025, 16:54 – Visite https://garco911.com/emergency-notification-system/ y suscrĂ­base para recibir la informaciĂłn más actualizada. Gracias.

Parachute y Battlement Mesa NO están bajo orden de evacuación/preevacuación en este momento. El incendio se dirige hacia el este.

Evacuate immediately: All residences within one mile of 1800 County Road 309 (Rulison-Parachute Road) due to fire; Highway 6 closed

Some Western Slope public lands enter stage 2 fire restrictions

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Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit

July 16, 2025, 4 p.m. – The Bureau of Land Management will implement stage 2 fire restrictions for all lands managed by the Grand Junction Field Office, and lands managed by the Colorado River Valley Field Office within Garfield County effective 12:01 a.m. July 17. White River National Forest remains in stage 1.

Recent hot and windy conditions across Colorado have dried out the lower elevation landscape, and much of the Western Slope is under severe to extreme drought.

“The conditions across our region are significantly drier and more volatile than normal for mid-July,” said Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Officer Tommy Hayes. “Prolonged heat, low humidity, and steady winds have rapidly dried out vegetation — especially native grasses, sagebrush and pinyon-juniper shrubs.”

Because of current conditions, a current National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level of 4, and several active fires in the region, officials decided to increase fire restrictions where most appropriate.

In addition to stage 1 restrictions, the following are prohibited on BLM-managed lands:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grill, coal, wood stove fires, including in developed camping and picnic grounds. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, building or tent.
  • Using an explosive requiring fuse or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
  • Operating a generator, chainsaw or any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:
  • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Additionally, people should avoid parking in tall, dry grass; use working spark arresters on off-highway vehicles; and inspect trailers regularly to ensure chains do not drag.

BLM initiates restrictions to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect the public. Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria, including the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, and human risk factors.

For more information, please contact the Grand Junction Field Office at 970-244-3000 or the Colorado River Valley Field Office at 970-876-9000.

Fire restriction orders are available at BLM Colorado Upper Colorado River District Fire Restrictions.

The Colorado National Monument will enter stage 2 fire restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison national forests will stay in stage 1 fire restrictions.

Some Western Slope public lands enter stage 2 fire restrictions

Stage 2 fire restrictions begin Thursday, July 17

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

July 16, 2025, 12 p.m. – The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, BLM lands in Garfield County, and the seven fire districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday July 17, 2025. This applies to all of Garfield County.

This decision was made with thoughtful consideration. We look at the data as well as the potential for significant wildfires and balance it with the impacts to our community. The current active wildfires in Colorado have already stretched our available resources and effected our ability to respond as necessary.

Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to including moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability.

What Stage 2 fire restrictions mean in Garfield County

A) Use of fireworks – Not permitted

B) Burn permits (general) – No burn permits will be issued. All previously issued burn permits are cancelled.

C) Recreational fires – No recreational fires

D) Cooking fires – Use caution and keep attended. Cooking devices must be clean (including gas cylinder) and in proper working order.

a. Gas grills – No permit required.

b. Charcoal and other solid fuel grills and cookers – No permit required in developed areas only.

c. In undeveloped areas, a permit from the local fire department may be required.

E) Smoking – Open smoking allowed in developed areas.

a. In undeveloped areas, allowed only in an enclosed vehicle or building.

F) Welding and spark-emitting cutting (hot work) – Developed area: Use extreme caution and take preventative measures as necessary.

a. Undeveloped area: Industrial use only. A permit from the local fire department may be required. Must be in a cleared area at least 10 feet in diameter with a designated lookout. Must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available.

G) Operating of internal combustion engine-powered equipment, such as chainsaws, hand-held tools, or generators without a spark-arresting device is prohibited. If described equipment does have a spark arresting device, you must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available, and round-point shovel (36? length minimum) shall be readily available for use.

H) Other internal combustion engine-powered equipment, such as tractors and mowers: Operate with extreme caution paying special attention in areas subject to extreme conditions that may be susceptible to ignition (dry weeds and grasses, etc.).

I) Use of explosives, explosive targets and steel or tracer bullets – Not permitted

J) Use of firearms – Steel jacket/core bullets (Armor Piercing) and tracer bullets are expressly prohibited. It is the responsibility of each independent range to ensure safe fire conditions at all times the range is in use. This includes: mitigating fuels that may potentially catch fire; monitoring downrange conditions/impacts; maintaining the ability to access and rapidly extinguish fires; notifying the local fire department immediately in the event of a fire of any size. Keeping a usable fire-extinguishing application method on hand is strongly recommended.

a. If shooting at an unattended range – including those on public and private property – the responsibility for ensuring safe fire conditions falls on the independent shooter.

By definition:

A “developed area” is an area, whether within city limits or rural, that is groomed, manicured and or watered, where grasses, brush and trees are regularly attended to by landowner. This includes residential and business areas, improved recreational areas, parks and other common areas.

“Undeveloped areas” are lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered; where grasses, brush and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured parklands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined by the authority having jurisdiction or designee to be an undue wildland fire hazard.

Stage 2 fire restrictions begin Thursday, July 17

Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

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Colorado Air Pollution Control Division – Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

July 16, 2025, 8 a.m. – An air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke issued for Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, San Miguel and Ouray counties.

Affected area: Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, San Miguel and Ouray Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Aspen, Leadville, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Telluride, and Ouray.

Advisory in effect: 8 a.m. MDT, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 to 9 a.m. MDT, Thursday, July 17, 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: Multiple wildfires will produce periods of moderate to heavy smoke across the advisory area through early Thursday morning. The heaviest smoke impacts will likely be in close proximity to the South Rim fire in eastern Montrose County, the Sowbelly Fire and Turner Gulch fires in southern Mesa County, and areas directly downwind of the Deer Creek fire in Montrose and San Miguel Counties. Thunderstorms are possible near the fires on Wednesday, and may produce gusty, erratic winds that can send smoke in any direction.

Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke