Elk and Lee fires surpass 103,000 combined acres; new evacuation orders issued in Rio Blanco, Garfield counties
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
The Elk and Lee fires in Rio Blanco county surpassed 103,000 combined acres as of Saturday morning, prompting additional evacuation orders, according to the Aug. 9 update from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management team.
Burning at just over 14,502 acres, the Elk Fire is 8% contained. The Lee Fire, burning at roughly 88,700 acres, remains 0% contained.
The Saturday morning update on the fires noted 1,245 personnel are working the fires. Thirteen aircraft, 62 engines, 21 hand crews and 13 pieces of heavy equipment are also involved.
Lee Fire
Officials noted pyro cumulus clouds developed as a result of the Lee Fire’s “extreme” behavior on Friday, which included high winds and extremely dry vegetation. The fire moved “rapidly to the southeast.” Officials noted that while the fire prompted the pre-evacuation orders in Garfield County, it did not cross the county line.
Aerial resources were used primarily in the morning on Friday, but operations were suspended to the afternoon’s high winds which were reportedly gusting at 45 mph.
On Saturday morning, officials said crews were working on flames observed across Rio Blanco County Road 5 on Friday, “to contain the spots and keep the fire from spreading toward Colorado Highway 13 and into Garfield County.”
Elk Fire
On Friday, the incident management team said smoke from the Lee Fire shaded the Elk fire “and reduced fire behavior allowing firefighters to further reinforce fire lines” and perform structure protection over Friday night.
As of Saturday morning, the update said crews were continuing to “mop up” containment lines to keep the fire from further spread.
Another Red Flag Warning is in effect Saturday from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m., with temperatures ranging from the low-80s and humidity falling to the low teens.
Winds are expected to shift to the north-northeast.
“These weather conditions along with the dry fuels are conducive to extreme fire behavior,” the Saturday update noted.
