Per the morning update released on August 15, the Lee Fire that’s burning near the northwestern Colorado town of Meeker has reached 133,841 acres. Despite this growth of close to 7,000 acres compared yesterday morning, containment has grown from three percent to 12 percent.

The containment that was gained was on the northern side of the fire, which isn’t where the blaze is most active, but is where the nearby town of Meeker is located. This containment should provide additional protection for this more populated area.

The Lee Fire is currently ranked as the 5th-largest fire in state history, now less than 4,000 acres shy of growing to become the 4th-largest fire. To do so, it would need to surpass the Hayman Fire of 2002, which burned 137,760 acres. The 3rd-largest fire could also be surpassed if growth continues, with this blaze being the Pine Gulch Fire, which burned 139,007 acres in 2020.

Looking ahead at the rest of Friday, active fire behavior is anticipated. In recent days, increased levels of activity have been present in the southern portion of the blaze. This portion of the blaze is burning in a more rural area and in wildland opposed to the more populated area around Meeker.

While some precipitation is possible over upcoming hours, dry conditions currently persist. That said, expected conditions are slightly below critical thresholds.

Portions of County Road 5 and Highway 13 remain closed.

Meanwhile, no new fire growth is expected for the nearby Elk Fire, which has burned 14,518 acres and sits at 93 percent containment.

Both fires were sparked by lightning on August 2.

An evacuation status map can be found here, which places Meeker (Zone 41) at ‘Green’ status at time of publishing. This is the lower tier of evacuation likelihood, with language around this status being: “Possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor, and pack your valuables.” Evacuation notices are subject to rapid change, with locals instructed to sign-up for emergency alerts here.

The most up-to-date information related to these fires can be found on the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and the dedicated Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page.

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