Overview

• The Lee Fire has scorched over 88,700 acres with zero containment, making it the sixth-largest wildfire on record in Colorado.
• Intense convection from the blaze has produced pyrocumulus clouds rising above 30,000 feet and spawned outflow winds that fuel further fire growth.
• Rio Blanco County sheriff’s officials issued mandatory evacuations Friday night and Saturday for areas along Colorado 13 toward Garfield County and zones south and west of the fire.
• Meeker’s evacuation status was downgraded from “set” to “ready,” allowing some residents to return home under the condition they remain alert for sudden changes.
• More than 1,200 personnel from multiple agencies, including the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team and state National Guard units, are battling the Lee and Elk fires.