Wildfire activity in northwest Colorado is escalating as the Lee and Elk Fires continue to grow rapidly on either side of the town of Meeker, posing serious threats to local communities, wildlife areas, and infrastructure.
Massive Growth in 24 Hours
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Lee Fire (West of Meeker):
Grew from 13,025 acres to 22,497 acres in just one day. Firefighters report “extremely active” conditions, especially pushing east toward Meeker and south. -
Elk Fire (East of Meeker, near Buford):
Expanded slightly from 7,750 to 8,304 acres. Although less active, progress is being made on its southern edge.
Neither fire is contained, according to Wednesday morning’s update.
Severe Fire Weather Fuels Spread
Fire crews are battling strong winds, triple-digit heat, and very low humidity, conditions that are driving extreme fire behavior across the region. Forecasts show these weather patterns are expected to continue, making firefighting efforts more difficult.
Closures & Evacuations
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has closed four nearby state wildlife areas:
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Oak Ridge SWA
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Rio Blanco Lake SWA
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Colorow Mountain SWA
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Piceance SWA
Road closures and evacuation orders remain in effect. For real-time updates, residents are urged to follow the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and sign up for the Rio Blanco County alerts system.
Protecting Property
A major focus of the firefighting efforts around the Lee Fire involves defending structures at risk, especially as the flames edge closer to Meeker.
Local residents and visitors are advised to stay alert, follow evacuation instructions, and monitor official channels for emergency notifications.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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