The Lee and Elk wildfires continue to rage near Meeker, Colorado, threatening homes, highways, and air quality across the region.
Both fires were ignited by lightning and remain completely uncontained.
What to Know About the Lee and Elk Wildfires
Together, the Lee and Elk wildfires have scorched more than 75,000 acres.
Over 500 firefighters are working to contain the flames. Current details include:
Lee Fire: 60,976 acres, 0% contained
Elk Fire: 14,236 acres, 0% contained
Total Personnel: 528
Cause: Lightning
Resources in Use: 11 aircraft, 46 engines, 21 hand crews, and 11 pieces of heavy equipment
In the past 24 hours, strong winds and dry weather have fueled intense fire activity. The Lee Fire spread quickly, crossing into the Highway 64 corridor. Fire crews conducted strategic firing operations to stop it from jumping the highway.
Progress was made in the Hogback area through direct line construction, even as the southern edge of the fire pushed against the wind.
The Elk Fire experienced flare-ups on its northwest side, though the spread was minimal.
Governor Jared Polis has declared a state disaster emergency and called in the Colorado National Guard. Two large Type 1 helicopters are now assisting in suppression efforts.
Evacuations and Closures
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Pre-evacuation alerts are in effect for some areas of Meeker.
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Highway 13 and Highway 64 are closed in fire-affected zones.
Colorado Wildfire Damage by Year
Colorado has faced significant wildfire challenges over the years, but year-by-year data reveals the scale of change.
From just a few thousand acres burned in the 1990s to sharp increases in the 2000s, the trend is clear. All of Colorado’s 20 largest wildfires have occurred since 2000.
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 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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