Highway 13 open Saturday, August 16, 2025 @ 11:45 am.
Speed Limit reduction to 50 mph
No stopping along the highway except in emergencies. All pullouts and rest areas are for fire personnel only.
There are still firefighters and utility personnel working along this road. Please stay alert, drive with caution, and obey speed limits. Please help keep firefighters and utility workers safe.
Thank you for your patience and endurance while we fought to keep this community safe.
Air Operations provided these images of fire impacted areas. These images also illustrate protection efforts of values at risk.
Image 1: Looking west from just south of Meeker, Colorado. The burned area is referred as the Hogback and is where the Lee Fire had crossed Highway 13 on Wednesday August 6, 2025. The image was taken from Air Operations on August 14, 2025.
Image 2: This is an image from Air Operations on August 14, 2025, of the intersection of County Road 5 and Highway 13. This is the southeast edge of the fire where strategic firing operations were conducted to improve the road systems as a holding point with the highest probability of success. These firing operations remove fuels to allow firefighters the opportunity to go direct and hold the fire as it approaches and runs out of fuels to burn.
Image 3: This image, taken on August 14, 2025, shows how the Lee Fire burned around the oil and gas infrastructure and minimized the impacts to operations. Some critical values at risk, such as oil and gas infrastructure, have buffer requirements for vegetation for reducing wildfire risk. The lower half of this photo illustrates use of fire retardant during suppression efforts.
Image 4: This image, taken on August 14, 2025, is looking south of Highway 64, just west of the Town of Meeker. On August 6, 2025, when the Lee Fire crossed Highway 13 and progressed towards Meeker, firefighters protected critical values at risk, such as private properties, as seen in this image of the burned area on the northeast edge of the fire.
Size: Elk Fire: 14,518 acres | Lee Fire: 133,954 acres Total Personnel: 1,230 Containment: Elk Fire: 93% | Lee Fire 31% Cause: Lightning Resources: 9 Aircraft | 27 Hand Crews | 82 Engines | 46 Heavy Equipment
Special Announcement: A community meeting for the Lee and Elk fires will be held tonight at 7:00 P.M. at the Meeker High School, 550 School St, in Meeker, Colorado.
Important Notes: The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office downgraded several evacuation zones from GO (red) to SET (yellow) and from SET to READY (green). The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office downgraded Zone 70 on the east side of Highway 13 in northern Garfield County from GO (red) to SET (yellow). Other zones have not changed. Check your evacuation zone on the interactive map: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. Yesterday: Lee Fire – Firefighters made progress, increasing containment to 31% along the Highway 13 corridor. Crews remained engaged on the southern portion of Highway 13. Work continued near Hogback Ridge, where firefighters patrolled and reinforced lines around structures and areas around County Road 5, and other values at risk. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) were used across the fire to detect isolated areas of heat. Vegetation burned slowly inside the fire perimeter near County Road 5 and County Road 3, removing unburned fuel pockets and supporting control efforts.
Elk Fire: Crews focused on unburned fuels inside the north and west edges of the fire perimeter to strengthen containment. Suppression repair continued to restore hand and dozer lines to a more natural condition.
Current Situation: Rain fell over both fires last night ranging from .05”– 0.1” of an inch and helped to moderate fire behavior. The increase in moisture and humidity will help firefighters as they continue to suppress the fire.
Lee Fire – Crews are holding and reinforcing control lines. On the north side, firefighters continue to monitor, patrol, and reinforce lines. Firefighters are working along Highway 13 using saws, chippers, and heavy equipment to remove hazards. The southern edge remains most active, with crews improving containment lines to limit the potential for fire to spread outside of the perimeter. Firefighters will continue to patrol and protect structures and other values at risk.
Elk Fire: Firefighters will continue to reinforce containment line, patrol and mop up hotspots, while coordinating suppression repair plans with landowners and managers. Crews are also focused on the remaining uncontained section of the fire, with resources in place to prepare for transition to local units. Work continues on preparing contingency lines. These secondary lines will provide firefighters the opportunity to hold the fire with the highest probability of success if extreme conditions occur and push the fire outside existing containment lines.
Weather & Fire Behavior: A morning temperature inversion may bring fog and high humidity, with a chance of isolated showers during the day. Temperatures will reach the low 80s with west/northwest winds. Fuel moisture remains low, and significant precipitation would be needed to return levels to normal. Conditions will dry into the evening and a drying trend is expected to continue through mid-week, with a potential return of monsoonal conditions later in the week.
Evacuations and Closures: CR 5 and Hwy 13 remain closed. For the most up-to-date road closure information, please visit www.COtrip.org or use the COtrip app. To sign up for Garfield County Emergency Alerts, go to: https://garco911.com/. For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. Go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/
Rio Blanco County Sheriffs Office – for accurate up-to-date information on all evacuations and road closures. Sign up for emergency alerts at: https://rioblancoalerts.genasys.com/portal/en. White River National Forest closure information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. BLM White River Field Office closures information at: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.
Elk and Lee Fire Information: Phone: 970-341-8665; Email: 2025.elkrbx@firenet.gov Facebook: www.facebook.com/elkleefire Inciweb Lee Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-lee-fire Inciweb Elk Fire: https://inceb.wildfire.gov/incident-infrmation/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire
Recursos: 9 aviones | 27 cuadrillas | 82 camiones de bomberos | 46 maquinaria pesada Anuncio especial: Esta noche a las 7:00 p.m. se llevará a cabo una reuniĂłn comunitaria por los incendios de Lee y Elk en la Escuela Secundaria Meeker, 550 School St, en Meeker, Colorado. Notas importantes: La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RĂo Blanco degradĂł varias zonas de evacuaciĂłn de GO (rojo) a SET (amarillo) y de SET a READY (verde). La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield degradĂł la Zona 70 en el lado este de la autopista 13 en el norte del condado de Garfield de GO (rojo) a SET (amarillo). Otras zonas no han cambiado. Verifique su zona de evacuaciĂłn en el mapa interactivo: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones.
Ayer: Incendio Lee – Los bomberos avanzaron, aumentando la contenciĂłn al 31% a lo largo del corredor de la autopista 13. Las cuadrillas permanecieron comprometidas en la parte sur de la autopista 13. El trabajo continuĂł cerca de Hogback Ridge, donde los bomberos patrullaron y reforzaron las lĂneas alrededor de las estructuras y áreas alrededor de County Road 5, y otros valores en riesgo. Se utilizaron sistemas de aeronaves no tripuladas (UAS por sus siglas en ingles pero conocidos como drone) en todo el incendio para detectar áreas aisladas de calor. La vegetaciĂłn se quemĂł lentamente dentro del perĂmetro del incendio cerca de County Road 5 y County Road 3, eliminando bolsas de combustible no quemado y apoyando los esfuerzos de control. Incendio Elk – Las cuadrillas se centraron en los combustibles no quemados dentro de los bordes norte y oeste del perĂmetro del incendio para fortalecer la contenciĂłn. La reparaciĂłn de supresiĂłn continuĂł restaurando las lĂneas de mano y topadora a una condiciĂłn más natural.
SituaciĂłn actual: La lluvia cayĂł sobre ambos incendios anoche entre .05 “y 0.1” de pulgada y ayudĂł a moderar el comportamiento del fuego. El aumento de la humedad ayudará a los bomberos a medida que continĂşan sofocando el fuego.
Incendio Lee – Las cuadrillas están manteniendo y reforzando las lĂneas de control. En el lado norte, los bomberos continĂşan monitoreando, patrullando y reforzando las lĂneas. Los bomberos están trabajando a lo largo de la autopista 13 utilizando sierras, astilladoras y equipo pesado para eliminar los peligros. El borde sur sigue siendo el más activo, con equipos que mejoran las lĂneas de contenciĂłn para limitar la posibilidad de que el fuego se propague fuera del perĂmetro. Los bomberos continuarán patrullando y protegiendo estructuras y otros valores en riesgo.
Comportamiento del clima y el fuego: Una inversiĂłn de temperatura matutina puede traer niebla y alta humedad, con la posibilidad de lluvias aisladas durante el dĂa. Las temperaturas alcanzarán los 80 grados bajos con vientos del oeste / noroeste. La humedad del combustible sigue siendo baja y se necesitarĂan precipitaciones significativas para que los niveles vuelvan a la normalidad. Las condiciones se secarán hasta la noche y se espera que continĂşe una tendencia de secado hasta mediados de semana, con un posible regreso de las condiciones monzĂłnicas más adelante en la semana.
Evacuaciones y cierres: CR 5 y Hwy 13 permanecen cerradas. Para obtener la informaciĂłn más actualizada sobre el cierre de carreteras, visite http://www.COtrip.org o utilice la aplicaciĂłn COtrip. Para inscribirse en las alertas de emergencia del condado de Garfield, visite: https://garco911.com/. Para obtener actualizaciones del condado de Garfield, visite: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. Vaya a la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RĂo Blanco – https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice – para obtener informaciĂłn precisa y actualizada sobre todas las evacuaciones y cierres de carreteras. RegĂstrese para recibir alertas de emergencia en: https://rioblancoalerts.genasys.com/portal/en. InformaciĂłn sobre el cierre del Bosque Nacional White River en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. InformaciĂłn sobre los cierres de la oficina de campo de BLM White River en: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.
8.16.25, 7:29 a.m. – Good morning from the Elk and Lee Fires, where conditions are pleasantly damp this morning. The fires received between .05 and .1 inches of rain last night. Skies are expected to clear this morning and firefighters will take advantage of wetter conditions to mop up, patrol, and secure firelines. Warmer, drier weather conditions are expected over the next few days.
Firefighters made steady progress today on containment efforts across both fires, including work on contingency lines. The Elk Fire resources focused on final containment and support to local units. On the Lee Fire, crews continued to secure areas along Highway 13 and worked across the fire to reinforce lines and address interior heat.
Weather today brought higher humidity, which helped moderate fire activity. Conditions are expected to dry out over the next several days, with the potential for thunderstorms returning next week.
August 15, 2025, 6:26 p.m. – Important fire safety update:
The below press release from the U.S. Forest Service – Routt National Forest contains important information for anyone recreating in our area. Parts of Garfield County fall within the Routt National Forest, so please take a moment to read through the details before you head out.
Let’s all do our part to protect our beautiful lands and keep our community safe.
United States Forest Service
Sections of Routt National Forest are in Garfield County
Severe conditions put Routt National Forest in Stage 2 fire restrictions
Campfires are not allowed under these restrictions.
(LARAMIE, Wyo.) August 15, 2025 – Effective immediately, Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place for the Routt National Forest in northwest Colorado.
This includes National Forest System lands located in Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has communicated with all affected counties, state agencies, and neighboring federal land managers on the timing of the restrictions.
All criteria have been met for the Forest to move into Stage 2 restrictions and the USDA Forest Service is aligned with surrounding land managers regarding this action. Tightened restrictions are necessary due to extreme, dry fuel conditions that are receptive to fire, persistent fire weather patterns, and the danger of human-caused wildfires. Recent weather conditions have resulted in an elevated potential for wildfires. Fire restrictions will help protect public health and safety, as well as natural resources.
The Routt National Forest was last in Stage 2 restrictions in 2020 and has been in Stage 1 restrictions since July 10 of this year.
The following prohibitions are in effect until further notice:
Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, except if using a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device.
Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building.
Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
Using an explosive.
This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
Possessing or using a motor vehicle off NFS roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the motor vehicle.
Personal, portable wood or charcoal burning fire pits/rings, often made of stainless steel, are not allowed under these restrictions. Only gas-fueled devices with an on/off switch may be used.
Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order in accordance with USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1.
For chainsaw use, it is recommended the operator have a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
Violation of the Stage 2 Fire Prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire could also be held responsible for the costs of that fire.
Forest staff will continue to monitor conditions to assess the need for further action, including additional restrictions if weather remains hot and dry and lessening restrictions if a wetter and cooler weather pattern develops.
To report a wildland fire, please call the Northern Colorado Interagency Dispatch Center, (970) 295-6800.
Call your local office for site-specific information.
Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Steamboat Springs, Colo., (970) 870-2299
Parks Ranger District, Walden, Colo., (970) 723-2700
Information on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland can be found on our website or on the Forests’ ‘X’ and Facebook accounts.
August 15, 2025, 3:45 p.m. – Firelines are holding on both the Lee and Elk fires this afternoon. Crews are mopping up to secure these lines and put out any hot spots. Firefighters are also focusing mop up efforts around structures and other values at risk. Prep work is continuing on contingency lines on the south edge of the fire.
