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.
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 dÃas con equipo pesado que escarificará el suelo y dispersará la vegetación para restaurar la topografÃa 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 producÃan algo de humo. Esto fue causado por condiciones más cálidas y secas, que se esperan para los próximos dÃas. Las cuadrillas continúan monitoreando y patrullando estas áreas y extinguiendo los puntos calientes residuales. Los bomberos están reevaluando las lÃneas de contingencia y el trabajo que queda por hacer.
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 RÃo Blanco, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo 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.
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.
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.
EVACUATION update from Garfield County Sheriff’s Office:
LEE FIRE: Four zones are downgrading status due to decreased fire activity and successful suppression efforts.
Zone 81 is in SET (YELLOW) West of Highway 13 in Garfield County south of the fire line Zone 70 is in READY (GREEN) East of Highway 13 in north Garfield County Zone 71 is in READY (GREEN) East of Highway 13 in north Garfield County Zone 85 is in READY (GREEN) South of Zone 81 and west of Highway 13
Fire managers’ strategic planning includes multiple secondary and contingency lines between the fire’s edge and the southern edge of the Roan Plateau.
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.
Size: Elk Fire: 14,518 acres | Lee Fire: 137,485 acres Total Personnel: 1,000 Containment: Elk Fire: 100% | Lee Fire 61% Cause: Lightning Resources: 5 Aircraft | 9 Hand Crews | 39 Engines | 22 Heavy Equipment Miles of fireline constructed: Elk Fire: 47 miles | Lee Fire: 168 miles
Key message: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 (RM CIMT 3) will transition today with the incoming Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 (NR CIMT 1). The new team will shadow RM CIMT 3 throughout the day to ensure a seamless handoff. NR CIMT 1 will take over command of both incidents Monday at 5 p.m.
Important Notes: School starts today in the Meeker School District. Please be careful when driving as school traffic and fire traffic will be on the roads. The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office downgraded several evacuation zones on Saturday. Check your evacuation zone on the interactive map: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. Highway 13 is open with a speed limit of 50 mph. There is no stopping along the highway except in emergencies. Be aware that firefighters and utility personnel are working along the road.
Yesterday: Lee Fire – Firefighters focused on mopping up hotspots on the south and west sides of the fire, to strengthen and secure containment lines. County Road 5 remains a priority. Crews continued to patrol and monitor along Highway 13, as well as the north and northwest portions of the fire. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights helped identify remaining heat along the perimeter of the fire. Crews also continued construction and clean-up of contingency lines south of the fire.
Elk Fire – Evaluation and implementation of suppression repair work continued. Crews are repairing dozer lines, hand lines, and other areas impacted by firefighting efforts to prevent future erosion and sedimentation.
Current Situation :
Lee Fire – Crews will monitor containment lines, hotspots, and any islands of unburned fuel. Light smoke may be visible today as temperatures rise, giving firefighters a chance to address remaining heat. Firefighters will mop up along the south and west sides of the fire and the County Road 5 corridor. Crews remain engaged protecting structures and other values at risk while reinforcing containment lines in those areas. Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies to plan future repairs that meet established Lee Fire – Crews will monitor containment lines, hotspots, and any islands of unburned fuel. Light smoke may be visible today as temperatures rise, giving firefighters a chance to address remaining heat. Firefighters will mop up along the south and west sides of the fire and the County Road 5 corridor. Crews remain engaged protecting structures and other values at risk while reinforcing containment lines in those areas. Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies to plan future repairs that meet established standards.
Elk Fire: Suppression repair efforts for the Elk Fire will continue. Crews are covering contingency lines with soil and spreading vegetation to help restore areas affected by firefighting operations to near pre-fire condition.
Weather & Fire Behavior: High pressure will strengthen today leading to hot, dry, and sunny conditions with highs near 86 degrees. Winds will be light and variable, generally out of the west, 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. A drying trend is expected today through Wednesday. Some remaining hotspots dampened by rain over the last few days will likely show light smoke as fuels dry. Fuel moisture remains low, and significant precipitation would be needed to return levels to normal.
Notas importantes: La escuela comienza hoy en el Distrito Escolar de Meeker. Tenga cuidado al conducir, ya que el trafico escolar y el tráfico de bomberos estarán en las carreteras. La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo Blanco degradó varias zonas de evacuación el sábado. Verifique su zona de evacuación en el mapa interactivo: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. La autopista 13 está abierta con una reducción del lÃmite de velocidad de 50 mph. No hay paradas a lo largo de la carretera, excepto en caso de emergencia. Tenga en cuenta que los bomberos y el personal de servicios públicos están trabajando a lo largo de la carretera.
Incendio Elk – Continuó la evaluación e implementación del trabajo de reparación de supresión. Las cuadrillas están reparando las lÃneas de topadoras, las lÃneas manuales y otras áreas afectadas por los esfuerzos de extinción de incendios para evitar la erosión y sedimentación futuras.
Situación actual: Incendio Lee – Las cuadrillas monitorearán las lÃneas de contención, los puntos crÃticos y cualquier isla de combustible no quemado. El humo ligero puede ser visible hoy a medida que aumentan las temperaturas, lo que les da a los bomberos la oportunidad de abordar el calor restante. Los bomberos limpiarán los lados sur y oeste del incendio y el corredor County Road 5. Las cuadrillas permanecen comprometidas protegiendo estructuras y otros valores en riesgo mientras refuerzan las lÃneas de contención en esas áreas. El Equipo 3 de Manejo de Incidentes del Complejo del Ãrea de las Montañas Rocosas está coordinando estrechamente con la Oficina de Administración de Tierras y otras agencias para planificar reparaciones futuras que cumplan con los estándares establecidos.
Incendio Elk – Continuarán los esfuerzos de reparación de supresión para el incendio Elk. Las cuadrillas están cubriendo las lÃneas de contingencia con tierra y esparciendo vegetación para ayudar a restaurar las áreas afectadas por las operaciones de extinción de incendios a una condición cercana a la anterior al incendio.
Evacuaciones y cierres: CR 5 permanece cerrado. Para obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre evacuaciones y cierres de carreteras para el condado de RÃo Blanco, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo 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. Información sobre cierres de la oficina de campo de BLM White River en: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.
8.18.25, 6:54 a.m. – Good Morning, It was a quiet night on the fire. As the Incident Management Teams transition today, some crews will begin the demobilization process, but many firefighters and crews remain actively engaged on the scene. Their work continues as they patrol the area, monitor hot spots, reinforce containment lines, and carry out suppression repair efforts. The response is ongoing, and dedicated personnel are still hard at work.
Crews made progress today with increased containment on the Lee Fire. An infrared flight using an unmanned aerial system (UAS) confirmed no heat outside of the fire perimeter. The fire was quiet, and firefighters will keep watch overnight.
Photo is an FVR-90 Type 1 UAS with a sensor capable of infrared to detect heat and ability to send videos back to the team in real time.
