MEEKER | A lightning-sparked wildfire that started Saturday, Aug. 2, approximately 10 miles east of Meeker in the Oak Ridge area along County Road 8, has grown to an estimated 600 acres according to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, prompting a declaration of a local disaster emergency by the Rio Blanco County Commissioners Sunday, Aug. 3.
Residents along County Rd. 8 from Miller Creek (CR 57) to mile marker 16 have been notified to evacuate, and County Rd. 8 is closed along that same section. For evacuation orders, the evacuation location will be Fairfield Center at 200 Main St., Meeker. The evacuation is for both the north and south sides of County Road 8.
White River Electric Association stated on their Facebook page, “Upon request from local officials, and to help avoid any safety concerns for those managing the fire up County Road 8, WREA has deenergized all circuits (east) upriver of the Oak Ridge area. Updates will be provided as they become available and we appreciate your patience as firefighters continue to manage the fire.”
On the Watch Duty app, the fire is estimated at 2,000 acres, but that number has not been verified by official sources.
The county’s emergency declaration authorizes the county’s emergency management team to request assistance from the State of Colorado and other mutual aid partners. Gov. Polis “verbally declared a disaster emergency” for the area of the fire late Sunday afternoon.
According to a press release from the Bureau of Land Management, the Elk Fire is actively burning in pinyon and juniper fuels across private land, Colorado Division of Wildland (state land), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. With involvement from Meeker Fire/Rescue, Bureau of Land Management, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC). A Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command early Sunday morning. Fire crews, along with air and ground support, are actively engaged in suppression efforts. Along with ground crews, specialized Hotshot crews are being dropped into the fire zone to assist with suppression efforts in the rugged terrain.
In addition, also according to the BLM press release, the Lee Fire, estimated to be 100 acres, is burning 20 miles southwest of Meeker in pinyon, juniper, and sagebrush. The fire is burning on BLM lands managed by the White River Field Office. Local initial attack BLM engines, the Wyoming Hotshots along with the Devils Canyon Suppression Module are currently battling the fire on the ground. Aerial resources have been ordered. Oil and gas infrastructure is currently threatened in the Magnolia area. The fire is visible from Colorado State Highway 13 and Rio Blanco County Road 5, Piceance Creek Road.
The Jack Springs Fire, 105 acres, is burning 7 miles north of Massadona, in grass, sagebrush, pinyon, and juniper. The fire is burning on both private and BLM White River Field Office. Local initial attack BLM engines along with Moffat County resources are engaging the fire utilizing direct attack methods to minimize the spread and maximize firefighter safety. Some primary structures to the west of the incident on Moffat County Road 95.
Residents are encouraged to follow the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and sign up for Rio Blanco Alerts for the latest updates and information, as well as evacuations, road closures, and other details.
This story will be updated as additional information is received.
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