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.
8.11.25, 2:01 pm – There will be a public meeting for the Lee Fire tonight, Monday, August 11 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the Colorado Mountain College Rifle Campus (3695 Airport Rd, Rifle, CO).
Attendees will hear updates from fire managers and agency representatives, and will have an opportunity to ask questions during the break-out session following the main presentation.
The meeting will be recorded, and the video will be posted here on the Elk and Lee Fires Information Facebook Page after the event.
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
8.10.25, 6:59 p.m. – The weather, coupled with drought conditions, continues to create challenges for firefighters on the southern end of the Lee Fire. As the fire continues to move, fire managers are preparing a strategic plan of the expected movement. Scouting for contingency lines was part of today’s operations for the Divisions on the south end of the fire. Supported by air resources, including dropping retardant, firefighters continue to work to strengthen lines around Highway 13 and County Road 5. Please continue to monitor trusted sources for information.
The official sources for fire information for the Elk and Lee Fires are:
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
Afternoon update from the Lee Fire
Crews continue to work hard along Highway 13, prioritizing point protection and prepping along the highway. Smoke could be dense in areas including CR 5, 1-70 and Highway 13 corridors. A pyrocumulus cloud may be visible later in the day.
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
8.10.25, 12:03 p.m. – GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE – Zones 72 and 73: Due to the Lee Fire, you are in READY (GREEN) status – possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor, and pack valuables. You will receive another message if your zone status is changed. Check your zone on this INTERACTIVE EVACUATION MAP (search your address).
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
Fire update document | Fire map document Size: Elk Fire: 14,635 acres | Lee Fire: 106,672 acres Total Personnel: 1,036 Containment: Elk Fire: 9% | Lee Fire 6% Cause: Lightning Resources: 14 Aircraft | 23 Hand Crews | 51 Engines | 6 Heavy Equipment Important Notes: Today, with winds coming from the north/northwest, the Rifle community in the I-70 corridor will see smoke from the Lee Fire. Due to mostly clear skies, fire activity is expected to increase early in the day. For the latest air quality in your area, visit fire.airnow.gov.
Yesterday: Lee Fire – Red Flag Warning weather conditions caused more extreme fire behavior in the Lee Fire. Winds coming from the northwest pushed the fire to the south and east. Fire personnel attempted to catch spot fires as the fire was progressing south with some success. All aircraft were utilized during the day to assist in these efforts. Values at risk, which includes private residences, were the main priority to protect from the fire’s spread. Firefighters on the west side of the fire were successful with strategic firing operations along the highway 13 corridor to continue reinforcing the line. Firefighters in the north and northeast side of the fire were successful in strengthening firelines and building confidence in the holdings that were put in.
Elk Fire: Firefighters have been able to build upon previous efforts to continue strengthening fireline. The Elk Fire has benefitted from cloud coverage and firefighters have taken advantage of the lower fire activity. Continued mop-up and structure protection has worked well especially along the County Road 8 corridor.
Current Situation: Lee Fire – Firefighters will continue efforts of point protection for structures at risk. The southern end of the fire is well-staffed and prepared for more extreme fire behavior moving south. Fire resources are looking ahead strategically as they plan out for the next several days looking for areas of opportunity. The primary objective is to keep the fire west of Hwy 13 and north of CR 5. Under current conditions, this will prove to be a challenge to firefighters.
Elk Fire: Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up containment lines to keep the fire from further spread. Structure protection resources will remain in place around residences and other values at risk. As progress is being made on the Elk Fire resources will be moved to assist with Lee Fire operations.
Weather & Fire Behavior: Near-critical fire weather will return today, this will include low relative humidity, periods of gusty winds from the north/northwest and lack of cloud coverage. The very dry fuels with the expected weather could result in extreme fire behavior in some areas of the Lee Fire.
