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
Photo Credit: Wyoming Interagency Hotshots