Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Elk and Lee Fire Update document – English
Elk and Lee Fire Update document – Spanish

Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,485 acres | Elk Fire: 14,158 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 60% | Elk Fire: 100%

710 Total Personnel; 37 Engines; 5 Helicopters; 14 Hand Crews; 15 Water Tenders; 6 Dozers

KEY MESSAGE:

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson, took command of the Lee and Elk fires yesterday at 5 p.m.

CURRENT STATUS:

Elk Fire – Suppression repair efforts will continue for the next several days with heavy equipment scarifying the soil and dispersing vegetation to restore the natural topography and surfacing. This is important for preventing soil erosion and supporting soil stabilization and vegetation growth.

Lee Fire – Some remaining areas of heat were visible yesterday and unburned pockets of fuel produced some smoke. This was caused by warmer and drier conditions, which are expected for the next few days. Crews continue to monitor and patrol these areas and extinguish residual hot spots. Firefighters are reassessing contingency lines and the work that remains to be done.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

High pressure continues to build, leading to hot and dry conditions across the region through Thursday. Generally light winds are expected for the rest of the week. Moisture will slowly start increasing Wednesday onwards as will precipitation chances, especially heading into the weekend.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

The Piceance Creek Road (CR5) remains closed. 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/. White River National Forest closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. BLM White River Field Office closures information is available at: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.

Equipo 1 de Gestión de Incidentes del Complejo de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte, Comandante de Incidentes Brent Olson
Ubicación: 11 millas al sur de Meeker, Colorado
Fecha de inicio: 08/02/2025
Causa: Relámpago Tamaño: Lee Incendio: 137,485 acres | Incendio Elk: 14,158 acres
Contención: Incendio Lee: 60% | Incendio Elk: 100%
710 Personal total; 37 camiones de bomberos; 5 helicópteros; 14 cuadrillas de mano; 6 topadoras; 15 Licitaciones de agua

MENSAJE CLAVE:
El Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes del Complejo de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte 1, el Comandante de Incidentes Brent Olson, tomó el mando de los incendios Lee y Elk ayer a las 5 p.m.

ESTADO ACTUAL:
Incendio Elk: los esfuerzos de reparación de supresión continuarán durante los próximos días con equipo pesado que escarificará el suelo y dispersará la vegetación para restaurar la topografía natural y la superficie. Esto es importante para prevenir la erosión del suelo y apoyar la estabilización del suelo y el crecimiento de la vegetación.

Incendio Lee: algunas áreas restantes de calor eran visibles ayer y las bolsas de combustible no quemadas producían algo de humo. Esto fue causado por condiciones más cálidas y secas, que se esperan para los próximos días. Las cuadrillas continúan monitoreando y patrullando estas áreas y extinguiendo los puntos calientes residuales. Los bomberos están reevaluando las líneas de contingencia y el trabajo que queda por hacer.

COMPORTAMIENTO DEL CLIMA Y EL FUEGO
La alta presión continúa acumulándose, lo que lleva a condiciones cálidas y secas en toda la región hasta el jueves. En general, se esperan vientos ligeros para el resto de la semana. La humedad comenzará a aumentar lentamente a partir del miércoles, al igual que las posibilidades de precipitación, especialmente de cara al fin de semana.

CIERRES Y MENSAJES ESPECIALES
Piceance Creek Road (CR5) permanece cerrada. Para obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre evacuaciones y cierres de carreteras para el condado de Río Blanco, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Río Blanco en: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice. Para obtener actualizaciones del condado de Garfield, visite: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. La información sobre el cierre del Bosque Nacional White River está disponible en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. La información sobre los cierres de la oficina de campo de BLM White River está disponible en: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

After 14 days on the Elk and Lee Fires, the entire Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 would like to thank the communities of Meeker and Rifle for their support during challenging conditions. As Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough shared, your encouragement meant a great deal to our firefighters.

We are transferring command to Northern Rockies Team 1 this evening at 5 p.m. While fire activity has moderated, hot and dry days are still ahead, and smoke will continue to be visible at times. It has been our privilege to serve your communities.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Fire Behavior Analyst explains what factors contribute to the active fire behavior that was seen on the Lee and Elk Fires in Colorado. Please know that while fire activity has moderated, hot, dry days and smoke will continue.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the communities of Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties for allowing us to serve you these past two weeks. You welcomed us initially out of need, but we have continued to feel your support throughout the incident. We know our presence has a tremendous impact on your small communities, but you have shown us warmth, friendliness, and community spirit. The new team is fortunate to continue the necessary work on the Elk and Lee fires in such an openhearted community.

Photo (left to right): Deputy Incident Commander Jay Miller, Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough, and Incident Commander trainee Ben Sanders pose in front of a thank you sign from the community. The sign was posted in Watt’s Ranch Market in Meeker, as well as at the August 17th community meeting, and residents added their messages of gratitude.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Operational Briefing Video August 18, 2025 with Operations Section Chief, Jeramy Dietz:

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
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Rifle Police Department