Colorado’s Record-Breaking Lee Fire Rages as Crews Push for Containment

COLORADO — Western Colorado continues to battle multiple major wildfires as the Lee Fire — now the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado history — pushes resources to their limits while forcing nearby communities to remain on high alert.

Despite ongoing challenges, there’s good news from Montrose County: parts of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park have reopened, offering a glimmer of hope amid an intense fire season.

Lee Fire: Massive Growth and Containment Progress

Acres burned: 137,755 acres
Containment: 68%
Personnel deployed: 1,000+ firefighters
Equipment in use: 5 aircraft, 9 hand crews, 39 engines, 22 pieces of heavy machinery

Fueled by high winds and dry conditions, the Lee Fire exploded across nearly 140,000 acres since August 2, making it the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado history.

The fire is currently racing south along Highway 13 toward Rifle, prompting concerns for nearby towns, including Meeker, where schools reopened this week.

Governor Jared Polis issued a statewide disaster emergency, activated the National Guard, and released $2.5 million in emergency funds to bolster firefighting efforts.

Elk Fire Fully Contained

While the Lee Fire rages on, crews achieved a major victory: the nearby Elk Fire, which burned 14,518 acres, has been declared 100% contained.

Black Canyon Reopens Amid Recovery

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park suffered significant impacts from the South Rim Fire earlier this summer, but as of August 18, the South Rim has officially reopened.

Visitors can now access:

Visitor Center & Park Store (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point
Portions of the Rim Rock Trail
Red Rock Canyon Wilderness (by reservation)

The park encourages visitors to observe burned areas as part of nature’s recovery process, while also enjoying the untouched sections that survived.

Other Wildfires Impacting Western Colorado

In addition to the Lee Fire, multiple significant fires are still active:

Deer Creek Fire — 17,724 acres, 74% contained
Sowbelly Fire — 2,274 acres, 90% contained
Turner Gulch Fire — 17,747 acres, 41% contained
Wright Draw Fire — 466 acres, 89% contained

Lightning storms in July sparked many of these fires, keeping firefighters, residents, and resources stretched thin across the region.

Community on Edge but Resilient

With red-flag conditions persisting, authorities warn that gusty winds could still drive unpredictable fire behavior. However, firefighters report significant progress on containment lines, and local officials remain cautiously optimistic.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.

Katie Baylett

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.