Elk Fire fully contained; Lee Fire nears size of Colorado’s fourth-largest wildfire

The Elk Fire is now fully contained as crews continue to make progress on the much larger Lee Fire, which has burned 137,465 acres and is 42% contained as of Sunday.

The Lee Fire is now just shy of the Hayman Fire, which burned 137,760 acres in 2002 near Colorado Spring and ranks as the fourth-largest wildfire in Colorado history. Both the Lee and Elk fires were started by lightning on Aug. 2.

Combined, 1,155 personnel remain assigned to the fires, supported by six aircraft, 25 hand crews, 78 engines and 46 pieces of heavy equipment.

The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 is nearing the end of its 14-day assignment. The Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 has been mobilized to assume command Monday. The incoming team will shadow Rocky Mountain Team 3 to ensure a seamless transition for firefighting operations and suppression repair.

On Saturday, firefighters secured containment along the north and west edges of the Lee Fire, which allowed officials to reopen Colorado Highway 13 with restrictions. The highway is open with a reduced speed limit of 50 mph. Stopping is prohibited except in emergencies, and all pullouts and rest areas remain reserved for fire personnel. Firefighters and utility workers are still active along the corridor.

Unmanned aerial systems helped identify hot spots along the northern perimeter, where crews patrolled and monitored conditions. Rainfall ranging from a tenth to a half inch fell on the southern portion of the fire, where lines along County Road 5 held. Crews continued reinforcing those lines while also building contingency lines south of the fire using mastication equipment to reduce vegetation.

On the Elk Fire, increased humidity and moisture supported efforts to secure full containment at 14,518 acres. Crews shifted focus to suppression repair, pulling soil back over contingency lines and scattering vegetation to restore disturbed areas to their pre-fire condition.

As of Sunday, pockets of unburned fuel remain active along the Lee Fire’s south side near County Road 5, where firefighters are mopping up to reduce heat and prevent flare-ups. Crews continue to reinforce containment lines and protect structures and other values at risk. Repair planning is underway in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies.

County Road 5 remains closed.

The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded several evacuation zones. For the latest evacuation and road closure updates, visit the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Garfield County information is available at https://www.garfieldcounty.net/.

Residents can check their evacuation status at bit.ly/lee-fire-zones. Sign up for Garfield County Emergency Alerts at garco911.com.