Derby Fire daily update

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 webeditNorthern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire update document
Derby Fire update document – Spanish
Derby Fire smoke outlook
Derby Fire Map August 28, 2025
Derby Fire evacuation map August 28, 2025

White River National Forest
Fire Information 970-355-3283; 2025.Derby@firenet.gov; Derby Fire Colorado
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/cowrf-derby-fire

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. 5,735 acres
Completion/Containment: 5%
Total personnel: 824

Key message:

Firefighters continue to build and strengthen control lines and scout for access routes. Smoke may be visible as interior fuels reheat during sunbreaks. Wet weather will temporarily moderate fire activity until drier conditions return.

Current status:

Firefighters are actively assessing fireline construction routes on the western side of the fire. Scouting involves mapping proposed routes and detailing the type and number of resources needed. Along the southwestern edge of the fire, crews are reinforcing control lines by searching for lingering heat and removing or extinguishing still smoldering vegetation. Called mopping up, this fire suppression tactic prevents fire spread as it limits the opportunity for embers to roll or blow across the control line into unburned fuels. On the southeastern and eastern edges firefighters are using chainsaws, hand tools and heavy equipment to continue to build line. Crews are building secondary control lines on the eastern side of the fire where hazardous trees and heavier fuel types prohibit working directly on the fire’s edge. Air resources are evaluating proposed helispot locations to have medical evacuation sites closer to where firefighters are working. Structure protection crews continue to improve and maintain fire defenses around more than 500 structures along Sweetwater Road and Red Dirt Creek Road.

Weather and fire behavior:

Cool and humid weather conditions continue over the next few days. Remnants of hurricane Juliette is expected to bring showers Friday These scattered storms will bring moisture and produce gustier winds. Drier, warmer weather is predicted Monday or Tuesday. Minimal fire behavior is expected, but daytime smoke may be visible. When periods of sunlight dry and warm vegetation, fire activity is increasing at higher elevation areas within the fire perimeter. Dead and downed trees hold heat where hot surfaces are not exposed to moisture. The fire may creep slowly in aspen stands that have not burned completely.

Closures and special messages:

The Colorado River, Sweetwater, and Red Dirt Creek Roads have all been reopened, and the Garfield County and Eagle County Sheriff’s Offices have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley, Sheep Creek and Red Dirt Creek areas to pre-evacuation (READY) status. More evacuation information is available at https://arcg.is/S0u4G and www.ecemergency.org.

The Forest Service and Bureau of Land M have both reduced the size of their closure areas. The White River National Forest’s closure order and map are posted athttps://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/reduced-derby-fire-closure. The BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office’s closure order and map are posted at https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-reduces-size-land-closure-garfield-and-eagle-counties-derby-fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Derby Fire.

Please find attached a pdf of the Smoke Outlook for the Derby Fire in NW Colorado. Detailed forecasts for specific locations are available here: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4d276598?

INCENDIO DERBY

Bosque Nacional White River

Información sobre el Incendio Derby 970-355-3283

2025.Derby@firenet.gov

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrf-derby-fire

28 de agosto de 2025

Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte, Comandante de Incidente Mike Behrens

Ubicación: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO
Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025;
Causa: Rayos
Tamaño: Est. 5,735 acres
Finalización/Contención: 5%
Personal total: 824

Mensaje clave:

Los bomberos continúan construyendo y reforzando las líneas de control y buscando rutas de acceso. Es posible que se observe humo a medida que los combustibles interiores se recalientan durante los claros de sol. El clima húmedo moderará temporalmente la actividad del fuego hasta que se reanude condiciones secas.

Estado actual:

Los bomberos están evaluando activamente las rutas de construcción de las líneas de fuego en el lado oeste del incendio. La exploración consiste en mapear las rutas propuestas y detallar el tipo y la cantidad de recursos necesarios. A lo largo del borde suroeste del incendio, los equipos están reforzando las líneas de control buscando zonas de calor remanente y retirando o extinguiendo la vegetación aún latente. Esta táctica de extinción, denominada liquidación, previene la propagación del fuego, ya que limita la posibilidad de que las brasas rueden o soplen a través de la línea de control hacia combustibles no quemados. En los bordes sureste y este, los bomberos están utilizando motosierras, herramientas manuales y equipo pesado para continuar construyendo la línea. Los equipos están construyendo líneas de control secundarias en el lado este del incendio, donde la presencia de árboles peligrosos y combustibles más pesados ??impide trabajar directamente en el borde del incendio. Los recursos aéreos están evaluando la ubicación propuesta de helipuertos para tener sitios de evacuación médica más cerca de donde trabajan los bomberos. Los equipos de protección de estructuras continúan mejorando y manteniendo las defensas contra incendios alrededor de más de 500 estructuras a lo largo de Sweetwater Road y Red Dirt Creek Road.

Comportamiento del clima y el fuego

Las condiciones climáticas frescas y húmedas continuarán durante los próximos días. Se espera que los remanentes del huracán Juliette traigan lluvias el viernes. Estas tormentas dispersas traerán humedad y producirán vientos más racheados. Se pronostica un clima más seco y cálido el lunes o martes. Se espera un comportamiento mínimo del fuego, pero podría verse humo durante el día. Cuando los períodos de luz solar secan y calientan la vegetación, la actividad del fuego aumenta en las zonas de mayor altitud dentro del perímetro del incendio. Los árboles muertos y derribados retienen el calor donde las superficies calientes no están expuestas a la humedad. El fuego podría propagarse lentamente en los arboledas de álamos temblones que no se han quemado completamente.

Cierres y mensajes especiales

Se han reabierto los caminos Colorado River Road, Sweetwater Road y Red Dirt Creek. Los condados Eagle y Garfield han cambiado el estado de evacuación para los residentes de Sweetwater Valley, Sheep Creek, y Red Dirt Creek a “LISTOS”, la etapa 1 del proceso de evacuaciones que significa que “esté preparados”. Para más información, incluido dónde refugiarse y recursos para mascotas y ganado, visite https://arcg.is/S0u4G o https://sites.google.com/eaglecounty.us/ecemergencyespanol/inicio.

El Servicio Forestal y el BLM han reducido el tamaño de sus áreas de cierre. La orden de cierre y el mapa del Bosque Nacional White River están publicados en https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver. La orden de cierre y el mapa de la Oficina de Campo del Valle del Río Colorado de BLM se publican en https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-issues-land-closure-garfield-and-eagle-counties-firefighting-activities. Existe una restricción temporal de vuelo (TFR por sus siglas en inglés) sobre el incendio de Derby.

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Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

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EAGLE COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: EAGLE COUNTY EVACUATION MAP REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso @eaglecountyso

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GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
DERBY FIRE: GARFIELD COUNTY INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: Weather update video

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 webeditNorthern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire weather update 8-27-2025:

Incident Meteorologist, Jason Straub, discusses the upcoming weather forecast.

More light rain last night and early this morning. Cumulative total is 0.7″. Much lower chances of rain today as we switch to a drying period instead of monsoonal flow.

Smoke continues from smoldering with some single tree torching observed yesterday.

Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

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Derby Fire: Operations morning update video

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 webeditNorthern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

#DerbyFire Ops Update Monday morning, Aug. 28, 2025. Philip Knaub, Operations Sections Chief, discusses firefighting tactics on the Derby Fire. Sunbreaks are rekindling smoldering conifer trees at higher elevations within the fire perimeter and smoke will be visible during periods of sunshine today. Heat remains despite the rain. Firefighters are building secondary control lines on the eastern side of the fire where hazardous terrain, snags, and heavier fuel types make safe access more difficult. Control line construction continues on the southeastern fire edge. Firefighters are mopping up (removing and extinguishing burning vegetation) and patrolling completed control lines. On the west side, incident managers are evaluating a potential spike camp location for smokejumpers to more easily access the most active part of the fire. We expect to see an increase in containment over the next few days.

Derby Fire official information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF

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CDPHE: Air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke

August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 webeditColorado Air Pollution Control Division - CDPHE

Colorado Air Pollution Control Division – CDPHE

August 22, 2025 – Issued for western Eagle and eastern Garfield counties 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 a.m. MDT, Friday, August 22, 2025 to 9 a.m. MDT, Saturday, August 23, 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 the Sweetwater Lake and Colorado River Road between Dotsero and Burns.

Derby Fire: Colorado River Road is closed to non-emergency and non-resident vehicles

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 webeditEagle County Sheriff's Office

Eagle County Sheriff’s Office

August 20, 2025, 1:10 p.m.: – From the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office:

Colorado River Road is closed to non-residents and non-emergency traffic. Please stay off the road to allow for a safe and effective incident response.

La Carretera del Rio Colorado esta cerrada al trafico no residente y no urgente. Por favor, mantengase alejado de la carretera para permitir una respuesta segura y eficaz al incidente.

Derby Fire Official Information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF
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EAGLE COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso@eaglecountyso
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GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: morning update

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 webeditNorthern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, White River National Forest

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Here is this morning’s update from Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3

Derby Fire information
Public phone line: (970) 355-3282
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2025.derby@firenet.gov

August 20, 2025, 1:03 p.m. –

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens
Location: 13 miles west of Dotsero, CO
Start date: 8/16/2025;
Cause: Lightning
Size: Est. 839 acres
Completion/containment: 0%
80 est. Total Personnel; 6 Engines; 1 Helicopter; 2 Hand Crews

KEY MESSAGE:

The Derby Fire was ignited by lightning on an extremely steep cliff face in a remote area near the Flat Tops Wilderness on Saturday evening. Initial attack efforts by smokejumpers on Sunday were hindered by rollout of burning material, repeatedly igniting the slope below the main fire.

Protection of life and property are key objectives for managing this fire.

CURRENT STATUS:

The Complex Incident Management Team managing the Turner Gulch Fire assumed command of the Derby Fire this morning. The Derby Fire saw significant growth overnight. Structure assessment and area reconnaissance will be the main tasks for fire managers today, determining the best strategy to engage the fire with the most likelihood for success, while ensuring for firefighter safety. The remote location makes access very difficult.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Several consecutive days of hot and dry weather with very low relative humidities has made fuels across Colorado very receptive. Late today, an incoming monsoonal front may produce erratic outflow winds, increasing rates of spread in the subalpine fir and lodgepole pine forest.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Eagle County has issued an evacuation notice that Residents of Sweetwater Rd and areas of the Colorado River Rd from Sweetwater to Red Dirt Creek must be out of their homes by 12pm noon Wed, 8/20. Derby Mesa Loop remains in pre-evacuation status. Pre-evacuation notice and other information on the Derby Fire is available at www.ecemergency.org. The White River National Forest has issued a public closure for firefighter and public safety in Eagle and Garfield Counties in the vicinity of the fire. The closure is within the Blanco and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Districts. The closure order and map are posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver. Specific closure information and maps will also be posted on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-derby-fire as they are implemented.

Derby Fire Official Information

FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF
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EAGLE COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso@eaglecountyso
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GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff

Derby Fire: actualización matutina

Actualización de esta mañana del Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes 3 del Complejo de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte Información sobre el incendio de Derby Teléfono público: (970) 355-3282 Horario de oficina: 8:00 a. m. a 8:00 p. m. 2025.derby@firenet.gov 20 de agosto de 2025, 1:03 p. m. – Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes 3 del Complejo de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte, Comandante del incidente: Mike Behrens Ubicación: 21 kilómetros al oeste de Dotsero, Colorado Fecha de inicio: 16/8/2025 Causa: Rayo Superficie: 839 acres aprox. Finalización/contención: 0 % Personal total estimado: 80 personas; 6 camiones cisterna; 1 helicóptero; 2 cuadrillas de mano

MENSAJE CLAVE:
El incendio Derby se originó el sábado por la noche a causa de un rayo en un acantilado extremadamente empinado en una zona remota cerca de Flat Tops Wilderness. Los esfuerzos iniciales de ataque de los paracaidistas el domingo se vieron obstaculizados por el despliegue de material incendiario, que incendió repetidamente la ladera bajo el incendio principal.

La protección de vidas y propiedades es fundamental para la gestión de este incendio.

ESTADO ACTUAL:
El Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos, encargado del incendio Turner Gulch, asumió el mando del incendio Derby esta mañana. El incendio Derby experimentó un crecimiento significativo durante la noche. La evaluación de la estructura y el reconocimiento del área serán las principales tareas de los responsables del incendio hoy, determinando la mejor estrategia para combatir el incendio con la mayor probabilidad de éxito, garantizando al mismo tiempo la seguridad de los bomberos. La ubicación remota dificulta mucho el acceso.

CLIMA Y COMPORTAMIENTO DEL INCENDIO
Varios días consecutivos de clima cálido y seco con humedades relativas muy bajas han hecho que los combustibles en todo Colorado sean muy receptivos. Más tarde hoy, un frente monzónico entrante podría producir vientos de salida erráticos, aumentando las tasas de propagación en los bosques de abetos subalpinos y pinos lodgepole.

CIERRES Y MENSAJES ESPECIALES
El Condado de Eagle ha emitido un aviso de evacuación indicando que los residentes de Sweetwater Rd y las áreas de Colorado River Rd, desde Sweetwater hasta Red Dirt Creek, deben abandonar sus hogares antes del mediodía del miércoles 20 de agosto. Derby Mesa Loop permanece en estado de preevacuación. El aviso de preevacuación y otra información sobre el incendio Derby están disponibles en www.ecemergency.org. El Bosque Nacional White River ha emitido un cierre público para la seguridad de los bomberos y el público en los condados de Eagle y Garfield, en las cercanías del incendio. El cierre se aplica a los distritos de guardabosques de Blanco y Eagle-Holy Cross. La orden de cierre y el mapa están publicados en www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver. También se publicará información específica de cierre y mapas en InciWeb en https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrf-derby-fire a medida que se implementen.

Lee Fire evening update

August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 webeditGarfield County Sheriff's Office, Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Evening Update – Aug. 15, 2025, 8:56 p.m.

Elk Fire: 14,518 acres | 93% contained
Lee Fire: 133,954 acres | 31% contained

Firefighters made steady progress today on containment efforts across both fires, including work on contingency lines. The Elk Fire resources focused on final containment and support to local units. On the Lee Fire, crews continued to secure areas along Highway 13 and worked across the fire to reinforce lines and address interior heat.

Weather today brought higher humidity, which helped moderate fire activity. Conditions are expected to dry out over the next several days, with the potential for thunderstorms returning next week.

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

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

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

Lolo Interagency Hotshot Crew on the Lee Fire

Photo: Lolo Interagency Hotshot Crew

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
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Lee Fire: Elk and Lee fires information update

August 15, 2025 webeditGarfield County Sheriff's Office, Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

August 15, 2025, 3:45 p.m. – Firelines are holding on both the Lee and Elk fires this afternoon. Crews are mopping up to secure these lines and put out any hot spots. Firefighters are also focusing mop up efforts around structures and other values at risk. Prep work is continuing on contingency lines on the south edge of the fire.

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

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

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

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

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest
Bureau of Land Management Fire
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Lee Fire: Recording of the August 14 community meeting

August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 webeditGarfield County Emergency Communications Authority, Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

August 15, 2025, 1:35 p.m. – Recording of the Community Meeting on August 14, 2025 at Rifle – Colorado Mountain College.

Reminder that there will be a community meeting at the Meeker High School, tomorrow, August 16 at 7 p.m.

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

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

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

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office
BLM Colorado Fire
Bureau of Land Management – Colorado
U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

Bureau of Land Management Fire
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Lee Fire: Elk and Lee fires information update

August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 webeditGarfield County Sheriff's Office, Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Elk and Lee Fires update document
Elk and Lee fires update document – Spanish

Map

Elk and Lee Fire Update – Friday, August 15, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Size: Elk Fire: 14,518 acres | Lee Fire: 133,841 acres
Total personnel: 1,274
Containment: Elk Fire: 93% | Lee Fire 12%
Cause: Lightning
Resources: 14 Aircraft | 29 Hand Crews | 82 Engines | 41 Heavy Equipment

Important note: The Bureau of Land Management has reopened a portion of public lands in Rio Blanco County while keeping other identified areas closed due to recent activity on the Lee Fire. Visit BLM Colorado Fire on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BLMColoradoFire for additional information and a link to the current closure order.

Yesterday: Lee Fire – Crews made steady progress, increasing containment on the north side of the fire and continued to work along Hogback Ridge to secure the edge. Firefighters went direct along control lines to keep the fire within established boundaries north of County Road 5, while interior fuels continued to burn on the west side. Aviation resources supported crews with water bucket drops on the south end, holding the existing spot fire from spreading further to the south. Despite erratic winds that challenged the control lines, firefighters successfully held the fire north of County Road 5 while continuing to secure control lines along Highway 13.

Elk Fire: The fire remained within established containment lines The fire continues to creep around and smolder inside the fire perimeter. Crews continued to patrol, mop up, and reinforce lines along the perimeter. Firefighters began suppression repair work to restore areas disturbed during suppression activities.

Current situation: Lee Fire – While there is an increased chance of precipitation, critically low fuel moisture will continue to drive fire behavior. Conditions are expected to remain slightly below critical thresholds, with the potential for isolated torching and spotting, particularly in unburned pockets inside established containment lines. Crews will patrol and mop up any hotspots to reinforce firelines on the west side and along the Highway 13 corridor. Interior burning is anticipated to continue north of County Road 5. Heavy equipment, fire crews, and aviation resources will continue to work to hold the spot fire south of County Road 5.

Elk Fire: No new growth is expected. Crews will continue to reinforce firelines as they patrol and mop up hotspots inside containment lines and work on fire suppression repair.

Weather & fire behavior: Cloud cover and a slight increase in moisture are expected, though the potential for wetting rain remains low. Temperatures will be in the lower 80s with midday west/northwest winds at 6-12 mph and gusts up to 26 mph. Dry thunderstorms may develop, bringing erratic, gusty winds and the potential for rapid changes in fire behavior.

Evacuations and closures: CR 5 and Hwy 13 remain closed. For the most up-to-date road closure information, please visit www.COtrip.org or use the COtrip app. To sign up for Garfield County Emergency Alerts, go to: https://garco911.com/. For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.

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

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

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

Map of the Elk and Lee fires on August 15, 2025.

Go to the Rio Branco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice – for accurate up-to-date information on all evacuations and road closures. Sign up for emergency alerts at: https://rioblancoalerts.genasys.com/portal/en. White River National Forest closure information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. BLM White River Field Office closures information at: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.

Actualización del incendio Elk y Lee – Jueves 15 de agosto de 2025: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrd-lee-fire
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office
BLM Colorado Fire
Bureau of Land Management – Colorado

Actualización del incendio Elk y Lee – Viernes 15 de agosto de 2025

Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes del Complejo del Área de las Montañas Rocosas 3 Casey Cheesbrough, Comandante de Incidentes
Información sobre incendios: 970-341-8665 | Medios: 970-341-8663
Tamaño: Incendio Elk: 14.518 acres | Incendio Lee: 133.841 acres
Personal total: 1.274
Contención: Incendio Elk: 93% | Incendio Lee 12%
Causa: Relámpago

Recursos: 14 aviones | 29 cuadrillas | 82 camiones de bomberos | 41 maquinaria pesada

Anuncio especial: Se llevará a cabo una reunión comunitaria por los incendios de Lee y Elk el sábado 16 de agosto a las 7:00 p.m. en Meeker High School, 550 School St, en Meeker, CO.

Notas importantes: La Oficina de Administración de Tierras ha reabierto una parte de las tierras públicas en el condado de Río Blanco mientras mantiene cerradas otras áreas identificadas debido a la actividad reciente en el incendio Lee. Visite BLM Colorado Fire en Facebook en https://www.facebook.com/BLMColoradoFire para obtener información adicional y un enlace a la orden de cierre actual.

Ayer: Incendio Lee – Las cuadrillas hicieron un progreso constante, aumentando la contención en el lado norte del incendio y continuaron trabajando a lo largo de Hogback Ridge para asegurar el borde. Los bomberos fueron directamente a lo largo de las líneas de control para mantener el fuego dentro de los límites establecidos al norte de County Road 5, mientras que los combustibles interiores continuaron ardiendo en el lado oeste. Los recursos de aviación apoyaron a las cuadrillas con cubos de agua en el extremo sur, evitando que el incendio existente se extendiera más hacia el sur. A pesar de los vientos erráticos que desafiaron las líneas de control, los bomberos contuvieron con éxito el fuego al norte de County Road 5 mientras continuaban asegurando las líneas de control a lo largo de la autopista 13.

Incendio Elk: El fuego permaneció dentro de las líneas de contención establecidas El fuego continúa arrastrándose y ardiendo dentro del perímetro del incendio. Las cuadrillas continuaron patrullando, limpiando y reforzando las líneas a lo largo del perímetro. Los bomberos comenzaron los trabajos de reparación de supresión para restaurar las áreas perturbadas durante las actividades de supresión.
Situación actual: Incendio Lee: Si bien existe una mayor probabilidad de precipitación, la humedad del combustible críticamente baja continuará impulsando el comportamiento del fuego. Se espera que las condiciones permanezcan ligeramente por debajo de los niveles críticos, con la posibilidad de quemas y manchas aisladas, particularmente en bolsas no quemadas dentro de las líneas de contención establecidas. Las cuadrillas patrullarán y limpiarán cualquier punto caliente para reforzar las líneas de fuego en el lado oeste y a lo largo del corredor de la autopista 13. Se prevé que la quema interior continúe al norte de County Road 5. El equipo pesado, los equipos de bomberos y los recursos de aviación continuarán trabajando para contener el incendio al sur de County Road 5.
Incendio Elk: No se espera un nuevo crecimiento. Las cuadrillas continuarán reforzando las líneas de fuego mientras patrullan y limpian los puntos calientes dentro de las líneas de contención y trabajan en la reparación de la extinción de incendios.

Comportamiento del clima y el fuego: Se espera una capa de nubes y un ligero aumento de la humedad, aunque el potencial de lluvia húmeda sigue siendo bajo. Las temperaturas estarán en los 80 grados inferiores con vientos del mediodía del oeste / noroeste de 6 a 12 mph y ráfagas de hasta 26 mph. Pueden desarrollarse tormentas eléctricas secas, trayendo vientos erráticos y racheados y la posibilidad de cambios rápidos en el comportamiento del fuego.

Evacuaciones y cierres: CR 5 y Hwy 13 permanecen cerradas. Para inscribirse en las alertas de emergencia del condado de Garfield, visite: https://garco911.com/. Para obtener actualizaciones del condado de Garfield, visite: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. Visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Río Branco – https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice – para obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre todas las evacuaciones y cierres de carreteras. Para inscribirse para recibir alertas de emergencia en: https://rioblancoalerts.genasys.com/portal/en. Información sobre el cierre del Bosque Nacional White River en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. Información sobre los cierres de la oficina de campo de BLM White River en: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-colorado-issues-emergency-closure-public-lands-rio-blanco-county.
Información sobre los incendios de Elk y Lee:
Teléfono: 970-341-8665; Correo electrónico: 2025.elkrbx@firenet.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elkleefire
Iniciweb Incendio Lee: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-lee-fire
Inciweb Incendio Elk: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control