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Garfield County | Accessibility
Update:
August 14, 2025, 2:32 pm
Road now open please drive safely
Update:
August 14, 2025, 12:48 pm
Road Closed I70 closed Westbound at Exit 87 -West Rifle due to brush fire
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August 14, 2025, 12:04 pm – 81 W I-70
1/4 Acre with moderate rate of spread in Pinyon Juniper.
CRFR Engine 41 is on scene with Grand Valley Fire Brush 32 and Tender 31. Resources have been ordered from DeBeque and Interagency.
Expect Lane Closures.
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
8.12.25, 6:25 p.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 105 EB, New Castle exit. Left lane of the I-70 is open.
8.12.25, 4:00 pm – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 105 EB, New Castle exit, due to a fire. Use Hwy 6 from New Castle east to Canyon Creek.
8.12.25, 3:38 pm – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 105 EB, New Castle exit, due to a fire.
Effective immediately, in the interest of firefighter and public safety, certain public lands managed by BLM White River Field Office in Rio Blanco County are temporarily closed until the #LeeFire is declared controlled or this order is rescinded.
Entry is prohibited, and violators face federal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Please stay out of the closed area to avoid interfering with firefighting operations.
For more information about the closure, visit the BLM website https://ow.ly/rpZ450WCVBR
Thanks to calmer winds and fire crews dropping large amounts of water and slurry, progress on the south side of the fire has slowed the fire significantly. Tomorrow, aerial support will resume with additional water and slurry drops.
The fire is now 6% contained. This will be the last update for the evening; we will provide more information following tomorrow’s Incident Management Team briefing..
For emergency alerts, please visit garco911.com and sign up. For the most accurate information on the Lee Fire, please follow the Interactive Evacuation Map at: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones.
Stay updated through the following channels:
Thank you for staying informed and safe.
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.
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 informaciĂłn más actualizada sobre incendios y niveles de evacuaciĂłn y vive en el condado de Garfield, regĂstrese para recibir alertas de emergencia en https://garco911.com/emergency-notification-system/. Si vive en el condado de RĂo Blanco, regĂstrese para recibir alertas en https://rbc.us/AlertCenter.aspx?CID=Emergency-Alert-12 .
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.
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.
8.9.25, 11:51 am – Hwy 13 is closed at mile-marker 4 both directions, North of Rifle near the bowling alley, due to a fire. Local residences are allowed through.
7.27.25, 3:22 p.m. – I-70 is open between mile markers 94 and 97, both directions, Mamm Creek exit to Silt exit.
7.27.25, 2:57 p.m. – I-70 is open at mile marker 97 westbound, Silt. Eastbound lanes remain closed at mile marker 94, Mamm Creek.
7.27.25, 2:13 p.m. – I-70 is closed between mile-markers 94 and 97, now both directions, Mamm Creek exit to Silt exit, due to a fire.
7.27.25, 2:09 p.m. – I-70 is closed at mile marker 94 eastbound, Mamm Creek exit, due to a fire.
7.27.25, 2:06 am – Highway 13 is open between mile markers 3.2 -10.5 both directions, north of Rifle.
7.27.25, 1:58 am – Highway 13 is closed between mile markers 3.2 – 10.5, both directions, from Highway 325 to mile marker 10.5, north of Rifle, due to an accident.
7.26.25 11:42 am – Highway 13 is open at mile marker 8 all directions, north of Rifle
7.26.25, 10:19 am – Highway 13 is closed at mile marker 8 northbound, north of Rifle, due to a fire.
7.26.25, 10:18 am – Highway 13 is closed both directions at this time. Garfield County Sheriff – facebook