EVACUATION update from Garfield County Sheriff’s Office:

webdev,

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

Zone 81 is in GO (red)

Zone 85 is in SET (yellow)

Zone 84 is in READY (green)

Check your zone on this map: https://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones

The southern edge of the Lee Fire has reached the Garfield County line, prompting the above changes to evacuation status.

Zone 81 and 85 are on top of the Roan Plateau in industrial landscape and BLM area (already under a closure), not residential areas.

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.

READY - possible evacuation in your area, SET - short notice evacuation likely in your area, GO - evacuation immediately from your area graphic.

INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com

INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net

FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Elk and Lee Fire Information page: https://www.facebook.com/elkleefire

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield

La zona 81 está en GO (rojo)

La zona 85 está en SET (amarillo)

La zona 84 está en LISTO (verde)

Consulta tu zona en este mapa: https://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones

El borde sur del incendio Lee ha llegado a la línea del condado de Garfield, lo que provocó los cambios mencionados anteriormente en el estado de evacuación.

Las zonas 81 y 85 están en la parte superior de la meseta de Roan en el paisaje industrial y el área BLM (ya bajo cierre), no son áreas residenciales.

La planificación estratégica de los administradores de incendios incluye múltiples líneas secundarias y de contingencia entre el borde del incendio y el borde sur de la meseta de Roan.

Como recordatorio:

SALIR = Evacuar inmediatamente su zona. Salga ahora: peligro en su zona.

SET = Posible evacuación con poca antelación en su zona. Prepárese para evacuaciones repentinas. Salga ahora si necesita más tiempo.

PREPARADO = Posible evacuación en su zona. Prepare, vigile y empaque sus objetos de valor.

MAPA DE EVACUACIÓN INTERACTIVO: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones

Condado de Garfield: REGÍSTRESE PARA RECIBIR ALERTAS – garco911.com

ACTUALIZACIONES DE INCIDENTES/SUSCRÍBASE – garfieldcounty.net

FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Página de información sobre incendios de Elk y Lee: https://www.facebook.com/elkleefire

EVACUATION update from Garfield County Sheriff’s Office:

Elk and Lee Fire – Operational Briefing Video August 13, 2025

webdev

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

Operational Briefing Video August 13, 2025 with Operations Section Chief, Jeramy Dietz

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office
Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority
BLM Colorado Fire
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado
Bureau of Land Management – Colorado
Bureau of Land Management – Colorado
U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest
Rifle Police Department

Check your zone on this INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (search your address).

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com, INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net, FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Elk and Lee Fire – Operational Briefing Video August 13, 2025

Community Meeting Tomorrow August 14, 2025 at 7 pm at Colorado Mountain College

webdev

Community Meeting Tomorrow August 14, 2025 at 7 pm at Colorado Mountain College – 3695 Airport Rd, Rifle, CO

Fire managers will be present to answer questions after the event. It will be recorded and posted on The Elk and Lee Fire Facebook Page

Check your zone on this INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (search your address).

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

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
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com, INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net, FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Community Meeting Tomorrow August 14, 2025 at 7 pm at Colorado Mountain College

Elk and Lee Fire Update

webdev

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

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

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 – 11:01 am
Size: Elk Fire: 14,549 acres | Lee Fire: 120,650 acres
Total Personnel: 1,284
Containment: Elk Fire: 75% | Lee Fire 4%
Cause: Lightning
Resources: 14 Aircraft | 26 Hand Crews | 77 Engines | 10 Heavy Equipment

Important Notes: The decrease in containment for the Lee Fire is due to an increase in acreage and expansion of the perimeter of the fire. Existing containment lines have not been lost. Critical fire weather is expected today on the Lee Fire. Shifting winds with hot, dry temperatures will challenge firefighters, especially on the southern portion.

Yesterday: Lee Fire – Firefighters on the northwest side of the Lee Fire were able to take advantage of favorable weather to construct firelines directly at its edge. Strategic firing operations on the southwest side of the fire were conducted as planned with moderate fire behavior and good success in strengthening the line along County Road 5 and County Road 3. Firefighters continued reinforcing containment lines on the north and east side of the fire and along Highway 13. They also continued securing lines around structures and other values at risk. Firefighters faced challenging conditions as they worked on the spot fire south of County Road 5. Air tankers and helicopters assisted these efforts, focusing on slowing fire spread. Night shift continued firing operations on the southeast of Cow Creek to limit the potential for fire spread to the south.

Elk Fire: Firefighters made significant progress around the perimeter of the Elk Fire. Crews continued to mop-up and patrol to eliminate hotspots and reinforce containment lines. Some flare up occurred overnight as the fire reached unburned pockets of fuels inside the fire perimeter. Firefighters working on structure protection continued to patrol around structures and other values at risk.

Current Situation: Lee Fire – Active fire behavior is expected, especially in the southern area. Critical fire weather will bring shifting winds, low humidity, and hotter temperatures that will challenge existing lines along Highway 13. Crews will continue to monitor and improve containment lines west of Highway 13 and south of Highway 64. Firefighters will work on constructing firelines around the spot fire below County Road 5. Firefighters will continue to scout and construct containment lines in the southern area by incorporating roads, trails and natural features that would inhibit fire growth. Constructing indirect or secondary lines provides firefighters with the opportunity to work the fire on their terms with the highest probability of success of protecting values at risk.

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. Crew will continue working to secure lines on the west side of the fire. Crews are working toward the goal to fully secure the perimeter of the fire.

Weather & Fire Behavior: Critical fire weather is expected today. Winds will shift to the west/northwest. Hotter and dryer conditions will prevail. Relative humidity will be at 7-10 percent. There is a potential for the development of large plumes of smoke and possibly of Pyrocumulus clouds.

Actualización del incendio de Elk y Lee – Miércoles 13 de agosto de 2025: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/actualizacin-del…

Check your zone on this INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (search your address).

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com, INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net, FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Elk and Lee Fire Update

CDPHE: Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke

webdev

Colorado Division Public Health and Environment Air Quality Division

Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke

Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)

Issued for Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Grand, Eagle, Summit, and southern parts of Routt and Jackson Counties
Issued at 8:07 AM MDT, Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area: Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Grand, Eagle, Summit, and southern parts of Routt and Jackson Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Meeker, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Nucla, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Eagle, Vail and Breckenridge.

Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Wednesday, August 13, 2025 to 9:00 AM MDT, Thursday, August 14, 2025

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in yourneighborhood 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: Widespread moderate to heavy smoke has been observed across the advisory area Wednesday morning. Additional heavy smoke is possible Wednesday afternoon and evening for areas downwind of the wildfires in Rio Blanco County, possibly impacting areas along and north of Interstate 70 within the advisory area.

CDPHE: Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke

Lee Fire: morning update from the Elk & Lee fires

comms

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Expect hotter, drier conditions today with strong winds shifting from north to west, making fire activity more likely and raising the risk of fire growth. Crews are working to strengthen fire lines, especially on the southern end of the Lee Fire. Air support will be assisting ground teams throughout the day as conditions allow.

Stay safe, keep an eye on conditions, and please check official sources for the latest updates!

8-13-25 morning briefing

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

Lee Fire: morning update from the Elk & Lee fires

Elk and Lee fires evening update

webedit,

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

August 12, 2025, 10:05 p.m. –
Elk Fire – 14,549 acres | 75% contained
Lee Fire – 120,650 acres | 4% contained

Containment on the Lee Fire decreased slightly today due to fire growth and expansion of the perimeter. While we’ve seen significant progress on the Elk Fire, tomorrow brings critical fire weather, meaning conditions will make fire activity more likely and harder to control. Winds will shift and increase from the west/northwest, temperatures will rise into the low 90s, and humidity will drop into the single digits.

These factors could produce tall smoke plumes, erratic surface winds, and an increased risk of spotting, especially near Highway 13.

In preparation, crews on both fires will work through the night with heavy equipment to strengthen and secure lines, check for heat, and address interior hot spots identified by infrared flights. Work will also continue on the spot fire south of County Road 5, along with scouting for potential contingency lines near Highway 13.

We’ll share updates as conditions change tomorrow. Please stay alert, ensure you are signed up for emergency alerts, and follow verified information from official sources including this page and at:

Inciweb Lee Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrd-lee-fire
Inciweb Elk Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire

Check your zone on this INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (search your address).

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

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
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com, INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net, FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Two firefighters walk alongside a firetruck and next to a wildfire

Photo Credit: Wyoming Interagency Hotshots

Elk and Lee fires evening update

Elk and Lee Fire afternoon update

webedit,

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3

Afternoon update

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.

Check your zone on this INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (search your address).

The Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page

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
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Garfield County: REGISTER FOR ALERTS – garco911.com, INCIDENT UPDATES/SUBSCRIBE – garfieldcounty.net, FACEBOOK – facebook.com/garcosheriff

Elk and Lee Fire afternoon update

CRFR: Brush fire along I-70 near New Castle contained

webedit

Colorado River Fire Rescue

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

CRFR: Brush fire along I-70 near New Castle contained

Garco911: I-70 open at mile marker 105

gc web

8.12.25, 6:25 p.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 105 EB, New Castle exit. Left lane of the I-70 is open.

8.12.25, 4:00 pm – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 105 EB, New Castle exit, due to a fire. Use Hwy 6 from New Castle east to Canyon Creek.

8.12.25, 3:38 pm – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 105 EB, New Castle exit, due to a fire.

Garco911: I-70 open at mile marker 105