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Garfield County | Accessibility
U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest has expanded their public closure in the vicinity of the #DerbyFire for firefighter and public safety.
The new Forest Order expands the closure to the southwest, including the area from southwest of Sweetwater Lake to the west rim of Deep Creek Canyon.
The entire White River National Forest remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning no campfires are allowed anywhere on the Forest, among other restrictions.
Location:Â Â 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date:Â 08/02/2025
Cause:Â Lightning
Size:Â Lee Fire: 137,758 acres | Elk Fire: 14,518 acres
Containment:Â Lee Fire: 80% | Â Elk Fire: 100%
355 Total Personnel;Â Â 5 Helicopters;Â Â 15 Engines;Â Â 3 Hand Crews;Â Â 7 Water Tenders;Â Â 2 Dozers
KEY Message
Rio Blanco County has OPENED the Piceance Creek Road (CR 5). Crews are still working in this area so please use caution, reduce driving speed, and give them space to work.
Current Status
Lee Fire – Afternoon storms yesterday produced nearly 0.20 inch of rain in Meeker, but no measurable amount over the fire area. Suppression efforts were successful in the northwestern corner of the fire area on a hot spot that was detected. Consequently, firefighters increased foot patrols and perimeter checks, extinguishing hot spots and strengthening lines were needed. Today crews will begin chipping and debris removal operations left over from previous fuels reduction work. With the potential for more thunderstorms with frequent lightning and gusty outflow winds, initial attack resources have been identified and are ready in the event of new starts.
Elk Fire – Resources have completed much of the planned suppression repair efforts and hope to complete this work by end of shift.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected again today with gusty winds and frequent lightning being the main concerns. Sunday onward, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected daily with moderate to heavy rainfall being the main concerns. This will lead to an elevated level of concern for burn scar debris flows and flash flooding into early next week.
Closures and Special Messages
For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice. For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. USFS White River National Forest and BLM closure rescission information is available at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/cowrd-lee-fire
Total acreage: 4,112 acres
0% containment
378 personnel/resources
#DerbyFire#FireYear2025
Structure protection and assessment efforts are ongoing. Handcrews and heavy equipment will continue to build and improve control lines, supported by air resources as weather conditions allow.
FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF
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EAGLE COUNTY INFO
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GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
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Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)
Issued for southeastern Dolores and northeastern Montezuma Counties
Issued at 6:46 AM MDT, Saturday, August 23, 2025
Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Affected Area: Southeastern Dolores and northeastern Montezuma Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Stoner.
Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Saturday, August 23, 2025 to 9:00 AM MDT, Sunday, August 24, 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: Locations near the Stoner Mesa Fire, including Highway 145 and the Stoner area, are experiencing heavy smoke. Smoke is expected to continue through Sunday morning, especially during the overnight and early morning hours.
Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories
FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF
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EAGLE COUNTY INFO
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INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso@eaglecountyso
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GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
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Aircraft incident on Derby Fire
Aug. 22, 2025 – An aircraft incident involving a helicopter assigned to the Derby Fire occurred today at 4:10 p.m.
There is an unconfirmed report that the aircraft is in a lake 13 miles northwest of the Eagle County Regional Airport. The pilot was picked up by another incident aircraft and flown to Eagle County Regional Airport. Local emergency medical personnel checked the pilot, who had minor bumps and bruises and desired no further medical attention.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified; it is unknown whether they will respond to the incident. A USDA Forest Service investigation team is enroute.
No further information will be released at this time.
August 22, 2025 Operational Briefing Video with Operations Section Chief Drew Daily
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office
Bureau of Land Management Fire
Bureau of Land Management – Colorado
BLM Colorado Fire
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado
#DerbyFire Ops Update Friday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2025
Firefighters supported by air tankers dropping retardant and helicopters with water dropping buckets are focusing on the southwest and southern portions of the fire. Tactical fireing operations are removing burnable vegetation between constructed control lines and the fire’s edge. This work is being done to slow the fire’s progress and will continue into the night shift if the weather, fuel and fire conditions allow.
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
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Colorado River Road closure for the Derby Fire has been extended south, starting from the north side of the Dotsero roundabout to Red Dirt Rd. This closure is for all non-residents and non-emergency traffic.
While we understand the impact of road closures, safeguarding and the life safety of people is always our highest priority. This precaution allows emergency crews to focus fully on protecting residents and responders in the area.
Out of respect for your safety and the safety of our dedicated first responders, we ask that you avoid the area unless you’re part of the emergency response team. Every moment and movement matters right now.
***EN ESPAÑOL***
El cierre de la carretera Colorado River por el incendio Derby se ha ampliado hacia el sur, desde el lado norte de la glorieta de Dotsero hasta la calle Red Dirt. Este cierre está para todos los que no son residentes y el tráfico que no sea de emergencia.
Aunque entendemos el impacto que tienen los cierres de carreteras, nuestra prioridad siempre es proteger la vida de las personas. Esta precaución permite que los equipos de emergencia se concentren en proteger a los residentes y a los socorristas de la zona.
Por respeto a su seguridad y a la de nuestros dedicados equipos de emergencia, le pedimos que evite la zona a menos que forme parte del equipo de emergencia. En estos momentos, cada momento y cada movimiento cuentan.
FACEBOOK – Derby fire @derbyfire
INCIWEB – Derby Fire
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST – facebook.com/whiteriverNF @whiteriverNF
_______________
EAGLE COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts
INCIDENT UPDATES – EC Emergency or Reachwell app
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/eaglecountyso@eaglecountyso
________________
GARFIELD COUNTY INFO
REGISTER FOR ALERTS – 911 alerts or Reachwell app
INCIDENT UPDATES / SUBSCRIBE – Garfield County emergency
FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff @garcosheriff
BLM Colorado, Upper Colorado District, Colorado River Valley Field Office
Media Contact: Heather Marsh, hmarsh@blm.gov, 970-852-9272
Aug. 22, 2025
SILT, Colo. — Today, the Bureau of Land Management rescinded the land closure order for BLM-managed public lands in Garfield County because of the Lee Fire. The rescission is effective immediately because fire and emergency managers have determined the area is safe.
BLM issued the emergency closure Aug. 11 to ensure public and firefighter safety during suppression and contingency efforts. Activity related to the Lee Fire will continue until the fire is controlled. BLM urges the public to use caution in the area.
The public land closure for the Derby Fire, in Garfield and Eagle Counties, is still in effect. Additionally, the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest White River National Forest remain under stage 2 fire restrictions. Information about fire restrictions is available on the BLM Upper Colorado River District Fire Restrictions webpage.
We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety and resource integrity during this critical time. For more information, please call the Colorado River Valley Field Office front desk at 970-876-9000.
-BLM-
BLM Colorado Lee Fire closure news release
BLM Colorado Lee Fire closure rescission order