Elk and Lee Fire information update

Update – Saturday, August 9, 2025

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3
Casey Cheesbrough, Incident Commander
Fire Information: 970-341-8665
Size: Elk Fire: 14,502 acres | Lee Fire: 88,755
Containment: Elk Fire: 8% | Lee Fire: 0%
Total Personnel: 1,245
Cause: Lightning
Resources: 13 Aircraft | 62 Engines | 21 Hand Crews | 13 Heavy Equipment

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

Size: Elk Fire: 14,502 acres | Lee Fire: 88,755 Containment: Elk Fire: 8% | Lee Fire: 0%
Total Personnel: 1,245 Cause: Lightning
Resources: 13 Aircraft | 62 Engines | 21 Hand Crews | 13 Heavy Equipment
Important Notes: All updates related to the Elk and Lee Fires will be posted at: https://www.facebook.com/elkleefire/.

Road closures and evacuation notices for Rio Blanco County will still be posted on the Rio Blanco Sheriff Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.

Evacuation information for Garfield County will be posted on the Garfield County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GarcoSheriff.

Yesterday: Lee Fire – Pyrocumulus clouds developed as a result of extreme fire behavior induced by high winds and extremely dry vegetation. It moved rapidly to the southeast, resulting in some spotting across CR 5. The fire did not cross into Garfield County however, the increase in activity initiated pre-evacuations in Garfield County. Aerial resources were utilized in the morning until increased winds in the early afternoon impacted the accuracy of water drops and eventually grounded the aircraft. Fire resources worked through the night to protect structures along CR 5. Firefighters conducted point protection around structures utilizing engines and dozers through the night.

Elk Fire: Smoke from the Lee Fire shaded the Elk Fire and reduced fire behavior allowing firefighters to further reinforce firelines. Structure protection resources continued monitoring and reinforcing around structures through the night.

Current Situation: Lee Fire – Firefighter and aerial resources are focusing on the spotting that occurred across CR 5 to contain the spots and keep the fire from spreading toward Hwy 13 and into Garfield County. Fire resources will continue structure protection around homes and other values at risk. Firefighters are patrolling and mopping up hot spots along the perimeter on the Hogback ridge.

Elk Fire: Firefighters will continue 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.
Weather & Fire Behavior: A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Temperatures will range in the low to mid-80’s. Humidity’s will fall in the low teens. Winds will shift to the north/northeast mid-morning until early evening. These weather conditions along with the dry fuels are conducive to extreme fire behavior.

Evacuations and closures: Go to the Rio Branco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page –
https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice – for accurate up-to-date information on all evacuations and road closures. To sign up for emergency alerts at: https://rioblancoalerts.genasys.com/portal/en.

For Garfield County go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.
White River National Forest closure information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts.
BLM White River Field Office closures information at: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-colorado-issues-emergency-closure-public-lands-rio-blanco-county.
Air Quality: Current air quality for your area can be found at fire.airnow.gov.

Elk and Lee Fire Information:
Phone: 970-341-8665; Email: 2025.elkrbx@firenet.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elkleefire
Iniciweb Lee Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-lee-fire
Inciweb Elk Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire

New zones moved to SET status

8.9.25, 10:01 am – Zones 70 and 71: Due to the Lee Fire, you are in SET status. Prepare for sudden evacuation orders issued by Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. You will receive another message if you are updated to GO status. Check your zone on this map.

Follow these channels for updates: Elk and Lee Fire Information page, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office @garcosheriff, Garfield County 911 @garco911, and garfieldcounty.net for updates.