Overview

• Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency Sunday to mobilize state resources and activate emergency response plans.
• The declaration triggers the State Emergency Operations and Resource Mobilization Plans under the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, with the Division of Fire Prevention and Control leading incident management.
• The Elk Fire has burned about 600 acres of pinyon, juniper and oak brush across land managed by the Colorado Division of Wildland, the Bureau of Land Management and private owners under hot, dry conditions.
• Specialized Hotshot crews have been deployed into remote, rugged areas for ground suppression, and law enforcement has closed County Road 8 to protect responders and the public.
• No structures are currently at risk, and authorities continue to urge residents and travelers to stay clear of the fire zone until containment improves.