Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the communities of Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties for allowing us to serve you these past two weeks. You welcomed us initially out of need, but we have continued to feel your support throughout the incident. We know our presence has a tremendous impact on your small communities, but you have shown us warmth, friendliness, and community spirit. The new team is fortunate to continue the necessary work on the Elk and Lee fires in such an openhearted community.
Photo (left to right): Deputy Incident Commander Jay Miller, Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough, and Incident Commander trainee Ben Sanders pose in front of a thank you sign from the community. The sign was posted in Watt’s Ranch Market in Meeker, as well as at the August 17th community meeting, and residents added their messages of gratitude.
Size: Elk Fire: 14,518 acres | Lee Fire: 137,485 acres Total Personnel: 1,000 Containment: Elk Fire: 100% | Lee Fire 61% Cause: Lightning Resources: 5 Aircraft | 9 Hand Crews | 39 Engines | 22 Heavy Equipment Miles of fireline constructed: Elk Fire: 47 miles | Lee Fire: 168 miles
Key message: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 (RM CIMT 3) will transition today with the incoming Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 (NR CIMT 1). The new team will shadow RM CIMT 3 throughout the day to ensure a seamless handoff. NR CIMT 1 will take over command of both incidents Monday at 5 p.m.
Important Notes: School starts today in the Meeker School District. Please be careful when driving as school traffic and fire traffic will be on the roads. The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office downgraded several evacuation zones on Saturday. Check your evacuation zone on the interactive map: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. Highway 13 is open with a speed limit of 50 mph. There is no stopping along the highway except in emergencies. Be aware that firefighters and utility personnel are working along the road.
Yesterday: Lee Fire – Firefighters focused on mopping up hotspots on the south and west sides of the fire, to strengthen and secure containment lines. County Road 5 remains a priority. Crews continued to patrol and monitor along Highway 13, as well as the north and northwest portions of the fire. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights helped identify remaining heat along the perimeter of the fire. Crews also continued construction and clean-up of contingency lines south of the fire.
Elk Fire – Evaluation and implementation of suppression repair work continued. Crews are repairing dozer lines, hand lines, and other areas impacted by firefighting efforts to prevent future erosion and sedimentation.
Current Situation :
Lee Fire – Crews will monitor containment lines, hotspots, and any islands of unburned fuel. Light smoke may be visible today as temperatures rise, giving firefighters a chance to address remaining heat. Firefighters will mop up along the south and west sides of the fire and the County Road 5 corridor. Crews remain engaged protecting structures and other values at risk while reinforcing containment lines in those areas. Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies to plan future repairs that meet established Lee Fire – Crews will monitor containment lines, hotspots, and any islands of unburned fuel. Light smoke may be visible today as temperatures rise, giving firefighters a chance to address remaining heat. Firefighters will mop up along the south and west sides of the fire and the County Road 5 corridor. Crews remain engaged protecting structures and other values at risk while reinforcing containment lines in those areas. Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies to plan future repairs that meet established standards.
Elk Fire: Suppression repair efforts for the Elk Fire will continue. Crews are covering contingency lines with soil and spreading vegetation to help restore areas affected by firefighting operations to near pre-fire condition.
Weather & Fire Behavior: High pressure will strengthen today leading to hot, dry, and sunny conditions with highs near 86 degrees. Winds will be light and variable, generally out of the west, 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. A drying trend is expected today through Wednesday. Some remaining hotspots dampened by rain over the last few days will likely show light smoke as fuels dry. Fuel moisture remains low, and significant precipitation would be needed to return levels to normal.
Notas importantes: La escuela comienza hoy en el Distrito Escolar de Meeker. Tenga cuidado al conducir, ya que el trafico escolar y el tráfico de bomberos estarán en las carreteras. La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo Blanco degradó varias zonas de evacuación el sábado. Verifique su zona de evacuación en el mapa interactivo: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. La autopista 13 está abierta con una reducción del lÃmite de velocidad de 50 mph. No hay paradas a lo largo de la carretera, excepto en caso de emergencia. Tenga en cuenta que los bomberos y el personal de servicios públicos están trabajando a lo largo de la carretera.
Incendio Elk – Continuó la evaluación e implementación del trabajo de reparación de supresión. Las cuadrillas están reparando las lÃneas de topadoras, las lÃneas manuales y otras áreas afectadas por los esfuerzos de extinción de incendios para evitar la erosión y sedimentación futuras.
Situación actual: Incendio Lee – Las cuadrillas monitorearán las lÃneas de contención, los puntos crÃticos y cualquier isla de combustible no quemado. El humo ligero puede ser visible hoy a medida que aumentan las temperaturas, lo que les da a los bomberos la oportunidad de abordar el calor restante. Los bomberos limpiarán los lados sur y oeste del incendio y el corredor County Road 5. Las cuadrillas permanecen comprometidas protegiendo estructuras y otros valores en riesgo mientras refuerzan las lÃneas de contención en esas áreas. El Equipo 3 de Manejo de Incidentes del Complejo del Ãrea de las Montañas Rocosas está coordinando estrechamente con la Oficina de Administración de Tierras y otras agencias para planificar reparaciones futuras que cumplan con los estándares establecidos.
Incendio Elk – Continuarán los esfuerzos de reparación de supresión para el incendio Elk. Las cuadrillas están cubriendo las lÃneas de contingencia con tierra y esparciendo vegetación para ayudar a restaurar las áreas afectadas por las operaciones de extinción de incendios a una condición cercana a la anterior al incendio.
Evacuaciones y cierres: CR 5 permanece cerrado. Para obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre evacuaciones y cierres de carreteras para el condado de RÃo Blanco, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo Blanco en: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice. Para obtener actualizaciones del condado de Garfield , visite: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. La información sobre el cierre del Bosque Nacional White River está disponible en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. Información sobre cierres de la oficina de campo de BLM White River en: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.
8.18.25, 6:54 a.m. – Good Morning, It was a quiet night on the fire. As the Incident Management Teams transition today, some crews will begin the demobilization process, but many firefighters and crews remain actively engaged on the scene. Their work continues as they patrol the area, monitor hot spots, reinforce containment lines, and carry out suppression repair efforts. The response is ongoing, and dedicated personnel are still hard at work.
Crews made progress today with increased containment on the Lee Fire. An infrared flight using an unmanned aerial system (UAS) confirmed no heat outside of the fire perimeter. The fire was quiet, and firefighters will keep watch overnight.
Photo is an FVR-90 Type 1 UAS with a sensor capable of infrared to detect heat and ability to send videos back to the team in real time.
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 is nearing the end of its 14-day assignment. Another team, the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1, has been mobilized to assume command of the fire. The new team will arrive tomorrow and shadow RMCIMT 3 to ensure a seamless transition in strategic firefighting and fire suppression repair operations. The new team will meet with each section of Team 3 and be provided with all transition information. They will take full control of the incidents on Tuesday morning.
IMTs are part of a national system of firefighting resources that are called in when the local fire situation exceeds the capacity of agency managers to handle. Each team is assigned for 14 days to ensure that team members have the opportunity to rest between assignments. This is essential for safe operations on an incident.
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 would like to thank the communities of Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties for allowing us to serve you during this assignment.
Size: Elk Fire: 14,518 acres | Lee Fire: 137,465 acres Total Personnel: 1,155 Containment: Elk Fire: 100% | Lee Fire 42% Cause: Lightning Resources: 6 Aircraft | 25 Hand Crews | 78 Engines | 46 Heavy Equipment
Key message: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 is nearing the end of its 14-day assignment. Another team, the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 has been mobilized to assume command of the fire. The new team will arrive tomorrow and shadow RM CIMT Team 3 to ensure a seamless transition in strategic firefighting and fire suppression repair operations. Important Notes: The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office downgraded several evacuation zones. Check your evacuation zone on the interactive map: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. Highway 13 is open with a speed limit reduction of 50 mph. There is no stopping along the highway except in emergencies. Be aware that firefighters and utility personnel are working along the road.
Yesterday: Lee Fire – Firefighters secured containment line along the north and west edges of the fire perimeter, allowing officials to reopen Highway 13. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights helped identify remaining heat along the northern perimeter of the fire. Crews patrolled, monitored, and removed hot spots along the fire perimeter. On the south side, the fire received a tenth to a half inch of rain. Firelines along County Road 5 held, and firefighters continued reinforcing those lines. Crews continue to strengthen contingency lines south of the fire with mastication equipment to reduce brush and vegetation.
Elk Fire – Increased moisture and humidity supported firefighter efforts in reaching 100% containment on the Elk Fire. Evaluation and implementation of suppression repair work continued.
Current Situation: Lee Fire – Islands of unburned fuel remain active near County Road 5 on the south side of the fire, with heat and isolated torching. Firefighters will continue to mop up to remove heat and strengthen firelines. Crews are working to protect structures and other values at risk while reinforcing containment lines in those areas. Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies to plan repair that meets established standards.
Elk Fire: Suppression repair efforts for the Elk Fire are underway. Crews are pulling soil back over contingency lines and scattering vegetation to restore areas affected by firefighting operations. This process aims to restore areas impacted to their original, pre-fire condition. Weather & Fire Behavior: Temperatures will reach the mid-80s with west/southwest winds 6-12 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Isolated afternoon showers are possible. A drying trend is expected from tonight through mid-week. Fuel moisture remains low, and significant precipitation would be needed to return levels to normal.
Notas importantes: La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo Blanco degradó varias zonas de evacuación. Verifique su zona de evacuación en el mapa interactivo: http://bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. La autopista 13 está abierta con una reducción del lÃmite de velocidad de 50 mph. No hay paradas a lo largo de la carretera, excepto en caso de emergencia. Tenga en cuenta que los bomberos y el personal de servicios públicos están trabajando a lo largo de la carretera.
Incendio Elk – El aumento de la humedad y la humedad apoyó los esfuerzos de los bomberos para alcanzar el 100% de contención en el incendio Elk. Continuó la evaluación y ejecución de los trabajos de reparación de la supresión.
Situación actual: Incendio Lee – Las islas de combustible sin quemar permanecen activas cerca de County Road 5 en el lado sur del incendio, con calor y quemas aisladas. Los bomberos continuarán limpiando para eliminar el calor y fortalecer las lÃneas de fuego. Las cuadrillas están trabajando para proteger las estructuras y otros valores en riesgo mientras refuerzan las lÃneas de contención en esas áreas. El Equipo 3 de Manejo de Incidentes del Complejo del Ãrea de las Montañas Rocosas está coordinando estrechamente con la Oficina de Administración de Tierras y otras agencias para planificar una reparación que cumpla con los estándares establecidos.
Incendio Elk – Los esfuerzos de reparación de supresión para el incendio Elk están en marcha. Las cuadrillas están retirando la tierra sobre las lÃneas de contingencia y esparciendo vegetación para restaurar las áreas afectadas por las operaciones de extinción de incendios. Este proceso tiene como objetivo restaurar las áreas afectadas a su condición original anterior al incendio.
Comportamiento del clima y el fuego: Las temperaturas alcanzarán los 80 grados con vientos del oeste / suroeste de 6 a 12 mph y ráfagas de hasta 20 mph. Es posible que se produzcan lluvias aisladas por la tarde. Se espera una tendencia a la sequÃa desde esta noche hasta mediados de semana. La humedad del combustible sigue siendo baja y se necesitarÃan precipitaciones significativas para que los niveles vuelvan a la normalidad.
Evacuaciones y cierres: CR 5 permanece cerrado. Para obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre evacuaciones y cierres de carreteras para el condado de RÃo Blanco, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de RÃo Blanco en: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice. Para obtener actualizaciones del condado de Garfield , visite: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/. La información sobre el cierre del Bosque Nacional White River está disponible en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts. Información sobre cierres de la oficina de campo de BLM White River en: https://ow.ly/78uF50WGjNW.
Good Sunday morning from the Lee and Elk fires. Last night the fire remained calm, stayed within its footprint, and overall conditions are stable and encouraging. Today, crews will continue to mop up and secure firelines, with a goal of increasing containment in the southwest portion of the fire. We are expecting clear skies and plenty of sunshine. Your daily update will be coming soon.
@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 @Colorado Parks and Wildlife
