August 12, 2025, 6:21 p.m. – Burning operations in the southwest area of the Lee Fire along County Road 5 went well today, and that work is holding as expected.
Crews are also working to contain a spot fire south of County Road 5 that is showing increased activity this afternoon. Aircraft will be in the area, and dozers are building containment line. If needed, firefighters may use offensive firing operations to support their efforts.
Colorado River Fire Rescue Responds to Brush Fire Along I-70
August 12, 2025, 6:02 p.m. – At approximately 3:23 p.m. today, Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) crews from New Castle were dispatched to a reported brush fire just east of the I-70 eastbound on-ramp at mile marker 105. Upon arrival, crews found an active fire in grass/brush mixed vegetation along the interstate.
Thanks to a swift and coordinated response, the fire was contained to 6.8 acres, using the interstate and river as anchor points. The cause of the fire was determined to be a trailer that had lost a wheel, which ignited dry grasses along the roadway.
CRFR responded with two Type Six engines, a tender, a Battalion Chief, and two Chief officers. CRFR extends sincere appreciation to our partnering agencies, whose quick assistance was critical in stopping this fire: the Glenwood Fire Department, Interagency Fire crews and personnel, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, and the New Castle Police Department.
“This incident is a reminder of how quickly fire can spread in our current dry conditions,” said Incident Command Messner of Colorado River Fire Rescue. “We are grateful for the teamwork and dedication of all agencies involved, and for the quick action that kept this from becoming a larger incident.”
CRFR encourages the public to remain diligent in all activities during stage two burn restrictions and to always be aware of their surroundings to prevent such incidents.
Leif Sackett Fire Chief Colorado River Fire Rescue
8.12.25, 9:29 am – Elk and Lee Fire Update – Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Size: Elk Fire: 14,549 acres | Lee Fire: 116,859 acres Total Personnel: 1,234 Containment: Elk Fire: 30% | Lee Fire 6% Cause: Lightning Resources: 10 Aircraft | 29 Hand Crews | 63 Engines | 10 Heavy Equipment
Important Notes: The recording for the public meeting held in Rifle last night will be posted this morning on the Elk and Lee Fire Facebook page. Comments will be monitored and addressed throughout the day, so be sure to post your questions there. As containment increases on the Elk Fire, crews will relocate to reinforce firefighting efforts on the southern area of the Lee Fire. This will increase the presence of firefighters in the community of Rifle.
Important Notes: The recording for the public meeting held in Rifle last night will be posted this morning on the Elk and Lee Fire Facebook page. Comments will be monitored and addressed throughout the day, so be sure to post your questions there. As containment increases on the Elk Fire, crews will relocate to reinforce firefighting efforts on the southern area of the Lee Fire. This will increase the presence of firefighters in the community of Rifle.
Yesterday: Lee Fire – Firefighters continued reinforcing containment lines on the north side of the fire and along Highway 13. They also continued securing lines around structures and other values at risk. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flights were used overnight to identify heat along the Hogback Ridge. In the southern area of the fire, crews continued strategic firing operations to reduce fire threats to CR 5 and CR 3. Air tankers and helicopters assisted these efforts, focusing on slowing fire spread and supporting operations. Resources continue to be assigned to help support firefighting efforts around the Lee Fire.
Elk Fire: Firefighters made progress securing fireline along County Road 8 on the south and in the Beaver Creek drainage on the east. Crews continued to mop-up and patrol to eliminate hotspots and reinforce containment lines. The fire will continue to burn inside the fire perimeter as it reaches pockets of unburned fuels. Firefighters working on structure protection continued to patrol and mop-up any hotspots to reinforce containment around structures and other values at risk.
Current Situation: Lee Fire – Minimal fire behavior is expected in the northern portions of the fire. The southern end remains the most active, with continued extreme fire behavior and high potential for fire spread. Firefighters will continue improving containment lines south of County Road 5 (Piceance Creek Road) and protecting values at risk in the area. Crews will also continue to monitor and improve containment lines west of Highway 13. Firefighters are working on building indirect lines east of the Hogback Ridge to keep the fire from moving further east in the event it was to get established east of Hwy 13. Use of air operations will continue as weather allows.
Elk Fire: Crews will continue reinforcing containment lines off County Road 8 and in the Beaver Creek area as they patrol and mop up any hotspots. Direct work will continue working south of the Beaver Creek drainage to fully secure fire in that area. An increase in containment on the Elk Fire is anticipated over the next two operational periods, with structure protection remaining in place.
Weather & Fire Behavior: Warm and dry conditions will continue today. Temperatures will range in the mid to upper 80’s as the relative humidity’s will range from 7-12 percent. Winds will generally be from the north and anticipated lighter than they have been over the past few days. Moderate smoke impacts are possible in Rifle
Issued for Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa and southern Routt Counties Issued at 8:00 AM MDT, Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Affected Area: Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa and southern Routt Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Meeker, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Gateway, and Phippsburg.
Advisory in Effect: 8:00 AM MDT, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 to 9:00 AM MDT, Wednesday, August 13, 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: Smoke from large wildfires in Rio Blanco County will impact the advisory area through at least Tuesday morning. The heaviest smoke impacts will be in areas in close vicinity to the fires, especially during the overnight and early morning hours.
Today, crews will be working on both fires to secure unburned pockets of fuel, strengthen indirect and containment lines, and protect values at risk. Aviation resources, including helicopters and UAS, will be supporting suppression efforts throughout the day, especially as smoke clears.
Please continue to use caution near the fire area.
Effective immediately, in the interest of firefighter and public safety, certain public lands managed by BLM White River Field Office in Rio Blanco County are temporarily closed until the #LeeFire is declared controlled or this order is rescinded.
Entry is prohibited, and violators face federal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Please stay out of the closed area to avoid interfering with firefighting operations.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for tonight’s community meeting in Rifle. Your questions, input, and support mean so much to our firefighters, partner agencies, and everyone working to support the response.
If you couldn’t attend, the meeting recording will be posted here soon so you can watch at your convenience.
The Lee Fire is 116,859 acres and 6% contained.
Containment dropped slightly due to the increase in acreage. Firefighters are facing very active fire behavior, including fast-moving flames pushed by the wind. Today, crews focused on protecting homes and infrastructure and identifying potential containment lines.
The Elk Fire is 14,549 acres and 30% contained.
The smaller acreage reported this morning is the result of more accurate mapping. Thanks to favorable winds and strong firefighting efforts, growth has remained minimal. Crews are strengthening fire lines and securing unburned areas inside the perimeter.
