Author: webedit

Evacuation change for the LEE FIRE area

webedit,

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

August 15, 2025, 10 a.m. – Evacuation change for the LEE FIRE area:

Zone 70 is downgrading to SET (yellow) status.
Zone 70 is on the east side of Highway 13 in northern Garfield County.
Other zones in Garfield County are not changing.

INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP: https://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones (enter your address to check status)

BLM closure areas are not changing.
Highway 13 remains closed to the public. Resident traffic only.

Fire managers’ strategic planning includes multiple secondary and contingency lines between the fire’s edge and the southern edge of the Roan Plateau.

Residents must obtain a Rapid Tag in:

    •    Meeker – Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, 355 4th Street

    •    Rifle – Colorado River Fire Station 41, 1850 Railroad Ave, Rifle, CO

A Rapid Tag allows authorized access through a roadblock if you are permitted to return to your property.

YOU MUST STOP at the checkpoint and report before proceeding.

Even though the status has been lowered, stay vigilant — conditions can change quickly and there is still active fire in the area.

As a reminder:

GO = Evacuate immediately from your area. Leave now – danger in your area.

SET = Short notice evacuation likely in your area. Prepare for sudden evacuations. Leave now if you need extra time.

READY = Possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor, and pack your valuables.

INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com

INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net

FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Elk and Lee Fire Information page: https://www.facebook.com/elkleefire

Cambio de evacuación para el área de LEE FIRE

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield

15 de agosto de 2025, 10 a. m. – Cambio de evacuación para el área del incendio LEE:

La zona 70 se degrada a SET (amarilla).
Se encuentra al este de la autopista 13, en el norte del condado de Garfield.
Las demás zonas del condado de Garfield no sufrirán cambios.

MAPA DE EVACUACIÓN INTERACTIVO: https://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones (ingrese su dirección para verificar el estado)

Las zonas cerradas por la Oficina de Administración de Tierras (BLM) no cambiarán.
La Carretera 13 permanece cerrada al público. Solo para residentes.

La planificación estratégica de los administradores de incendios incluye múltiples líneas secundarias y de contingencia entre el borde del incendio y el borde sur de la meseta de Roan.

Los residentes deben obtener una etiqueta rápida en:

    • Meeker  – Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Rio Blanco, 355 4th Street

    • Rifle  – Estación de bomberos del río Colorado 41, 1850 Railroad Ave, Rifle, CO

Una etiqueta rápida permite el acceso autorizado a través de un control de carretera si se le permite regresar a su propiedad.

DEBE DETENERSE  en el punto de control e informar antes de continuar.

Aunque el estado se haya reducido, permanezca alerta  : las condiciones pueden cambiar rápidamente y todavía hay fuego activo en el área.

Como recordatorio:

SALIR = Evacuar inmediatamente su zona. Salga ahora: peligro en su zona.

SET = Posible evacuación con poca antelación en su zona. Prepárese para evacuaciones repentinas. Salga ahora si necesita más tiempo.

PREPARADO = Posible evacuación en su zona. Prepare, vigile y empaque sus objetos de valor.

MAPA DE EVACUACIÓN INTERACTIVO: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones

Condado de Garfield: REGÍSTRESE PARA RECIBIR ALERTAS – garco911.com

ACTUALIZACIONES DE INCIDENTES/SUSCRÍBASE – garfieldcounty.net

FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Página de información sobre incendios de Elk y Lee: https://www.facebook.com/elkleefire

Evacuation change for the LEE FIRE area

Elk and Lee fires morning update

webedit,

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

August 15, 2025, 9:11 a.m. – Good Morning from the Elk & Lee fires.
Size: Elk Fire – 14,518 acres | Lee Fire – 133,841 acres
Containment: Elk Fire – 93% | Lee Fire – 12%

Today on the Elk & Lee fires, crews are focusing on protecting critical values while maintaining safe operations. Highway 13 remains a priority, with crews working to secure the corridor for safe travel. Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, with erratic winds up to 30 mph and lightning that could increase fire activity and spotting.

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

People gather during an informational meeting on the Lee and Elk fires.
Elk and Lee fires morning update

Elk and Lee fires evening update

webedit,

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

August 12, 2025, 10:05 p.m. –
Elk Fire – 14,549 acres | 75% contained
Lee Fire – 120,650 acres | 4% contained

Containment on the Lee Fire decreased slightly today due to fire growth and expansion of the perimeter. While we’ve seen significant progress on the Elk Fire, tomorrow brings critical fire weather, meaning conditions will make fire activity more likely and harder to control. Winds will shift and increase from the west/northwest, temperatures will rise into the low 90s, and humidity will drop into the single digits.

These factors could produce tall smoke plumes, erratic surface winds, and an increased risk of spotting, especially near Highway 13.

In preparation, crews on both fires will work through the night with heavy equipment to strengthen and secure lines, check for heat, and address interior hot spots identified by infrared flights. Work will also continue on the spot fire south of County Road 5, along with scouting for potential contingency lines near Highway 13.

We’ll share updates as conditions change tomorrow. Please stay alert, ensure you are signed up for emergency alerts, and follow verified information from official sources including this page and at:

Inciweb Lee Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrd-lee-fire
Inciweb Elk Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire

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

Two firefighters walk alongside a firetruck and next to a wildfire

Photo Credit: Wyoming Interagency Hotshots

Elk and Lee fires evening update

Elk and Lee Fire afternoon update

webedit,

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

webedit

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)

webedit, ,

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 EVACUACIÓN INTERACTIVO (puedes buscar tu dirección aquí).

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

webedit,

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

webedit,

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. – EVACUACIÓN: 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

webedit

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. – EVACUACIÓN: 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 kilómetro 79 (entre Parachute y Rulison).
Evacuaciones: Se ordena la evacuación a los residentes en un radio de una milla alrededor del kilómetro 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 vegetación: 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. – ATENCIÓN: 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 suscríbase para recibir la información 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