Elk and Lee Fire Information

09/01/2025

The FDNY Incident Management Team sincerely thanks the Meeker community, as well as the firefighters, contractors, and partner agencies who worked tirelessly on the Lee Fire. Thanks to their dedication and resilience, the fire is now 99% contained.

It has been an honor to serve alongside you during this time. The progress made is a direct reflection of the hard work of so many people coming together in a time of need. We leave grateful for the welcome we received and for the opportunity to stand with this community.
RRio Blanco County Sheriff's OfficeBBLM Colorado FireBBureau of Land Management - ColoradoCColorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlUU.S. Forest Service - White River National ForestGGarfield County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

08/31/2025

FDNY Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Mike Burke
Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 95%
179 Total Personnel; 2 Hand Crews; 2 Dozers

KEY MESSAGE
This is the final daily update from the FDNY Incident Management Team. On Monday morning at 0600, command of the fire will transition back to local agencies. Over the past week, our team has been honored to serve alongside local, state, and federal partners in support of the Lee Fire. We are grateful for the cooperation, resilience, and support shown by the community and those working on the ground. As we prepare to return home, we do so with confidence in both the progress made and the agencies continuing this important work.

CURRENT STATUS
Crews have now expanded suppression repair into additional areas of the fire, focusing on debris removal and restoration work. These projects are being completed in close coordination with Resource Advisors to ensure agency standards are met and to lay the groundwork for long-term recovery of the landscape.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Clear skies and warming temperatures are expected today, accompanied by lower humidity. While the overall forecast points to mild and favorable conditions, there remains a chance for an isolated shower or thunderstorm this afternoon. Any storm activity could bring gusty winds up to 25 mph, which may briefly
impact ongoing suppression repair. Looking ahead, the return to drier weather will allow crews to continue making steady progress across the fire area.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office page
at: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.
For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.
USFS White River National Forest and BLM closure rescission information is available
at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/cowrd-lee-fire
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
Garfield County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

08/30/2025

August 30, 2025, Operational Briefing with Operations Section Vic Fernandez
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
Garfield County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

08/30/2025

FDNY Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Mike Burke
Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 95%
195 Total Personnel; 8 Engines; 2 Hand Crews; 2 Water Tenders; 2 Dozers

KEY MESSAGE
Containment of the Lee Fire has increased to 95 percent. The addition of black line on the map reflects steady progress by firefighters patrolling the perimeter and completing suppression repair. Crews continue to strengthen lines and ensure the fire remains within its current footprint as work moves toward full containment.

CURRENT STATUS
Suppression repair is progressing across multiple areas, with crews conducting debris removal and other restoration work in coordination with Resource Advisors. These efforts are being carried out to agency standards and are designed to support long-term recovery.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Scattered rain showers are expected to continue into Saturday morning. While an isolated light shower or thunderstorm is possible in the afternoon, conditions will trend warmer and drier through the weekend. Temperatures are forecast to return to the 80s. Winds will generally be from the east at 5 mph, with gusts up to 17 mph possible near thunderstorms.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office page
at: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.
For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.
USFS White River National Forest and BLM closure rescission information is available
at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/cowrd-lee-fire

08/30/2025

August 29, 2025, Operational Briefing with Operations Section Mike Izzo
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
Garfield County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

08/29/2025

FDNY Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Mike Burke
Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 90%
218 Total Personnel; 9 Engines; 2 Hand Crews; 2 Water Tenders; 2 Dozers

KEY MESSAGE
The Lee Fire remains 137,758 acres with 90 percent containment. Fire activity has been minimal, with no growth observed. An infrared (IR) flight detected only a few hot spots, all of which were well inside the fire’s edge. Recent rainfall has kept conditions favorable, though crews remain mindful of flash flooding and debris flows that may follow periods of heavy rain.

CURRENT STATUS
Today, firefighters will continue patrols along the fire’s edge to ensure it remains within its footprint. Suppression repair is underway in several areas, including debris removal, with crews working closely with Resource Advisors to complete this work to agency standards and support long-term recovery. Progress remains steady as work continues toward full containment and recovery of the fire area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Widespread rain showers are expected on Friday morning and will continue through much of the day. Some heavier showers may produce lightning and thunder. Conditions are forecast to dry out by late afternoon, with clearing skies into the evening. The rainfall will help keep fire activity minimal, though crews will remain alert for lightning strikes and the potential for flash flooding or debris flows in and around the burn area.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office page
at: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.
For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.
USFS White River National Forest and BLM closure rescission information is available
at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/cowrd-lee-fire
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
Garfield County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

08/29/2025

County Road 5 is now completely open

Send a message to learn more

08/28/2025

Update 8/28 @ 1500
Road Closure Notice – Rio Blanco County Road 5 (Piceance Creek)
Rio Blanco County Road 5 (Piceance Creek) between Mile Marker 1–18, from its junction with Highway 13, is not passable due to mudslides. County Road 5 will be closed till further notice.
Highway 13 remains open
Please avoid the area and use alternate routes. Updates will be provided as conditions change and when the road is safe to reopen.

Update 8/28 @ 1500

Road Closure Notice – Rio Blanco County Road 5 (Piceance Creek)

Rio Blanco County Road 5 (Piceance Creek) between Mile Marker 1–18, from its junction with Highway 13, is not passable due to mudslides. County Road 5 will be closed till further notice.

Highway 13 remains open

Please avoid the area and use alternate routes. Updates will be provided as conditions change and when the road is safe to reopen.
Rio Blanco County Government

08/28/2025

August 28, 2025, Operational Briefing with Operations Section Mike Izzo and Resource Advisor Kristin Ross
Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office
BLM Colorado Fire
Bureau of Land Management Fire
Bureau of Land Management - Colorado
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
U.S. Forest Service - White River National Forest
Garfield County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

08/28/2025

FDNY Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Mike Burke
Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado
Start Date: 08/02/2025
Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres
Containment: Lee Fire: 90%
215 Total Personnel; 9 Engines; 2 Hand Crews; 2 Water Tenders; 2 Dozers
CURRENT STATUS
Crews will continue patrols along the fire perimeter today to ensure it stays within its current footprint. Suppression repair operations are moving forward in close coordination with Resource Advisors and local agencies, following the approved Suppression Repair Plan.
Repair work is addressing areas disturbed by suppression activities, with crews working to stabilize firelines, restore ground conditions, and remove equipment no longer needed on the line. These efforts are an important step in reducing impacts and supporting long-term recovery efforts across the fire area.
Progress continues steadily as firefighters remain focused on these repair and patrol operations while working toward complete containment.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Storm chances remain in the forecast, with the highest potential for development on the southern portion of the fire. Storms are expected to track from the southwest to the northeast, with the best opportunity for development between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. If skies clear during the late morning, storms are likely to form and bring rain, lightning, and the potential for localized flooding; if clouds remain in place, conditions may stay limited to lighter, scattered showers.
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office page
at: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.
For Garfield County updates go to: https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.
USFS White River National Forest and BLM closure rescission information is available
at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/cowrd-lee-fire

08/28/2025

Send a message to learn more

08/28/2025

August 27, 2025, Operational Briefing with Operations Section Mike Izzo and Incident Meteorologist Julie Malingowski