MEEKER | As per the official update from the incident team this morning, the Lee Fire has grown to an estimated 45,000 acres and the Elk Fire is at 14,250 acres. There are 476 total personnel, and resources to include 14 aircraft, 15 engines, 14 hand crews, and two heavy equipment containment.
The link to the recording of a community meeting held Wednesday night is below:
“The Lee fire was extremely active Tuesday due to hot, dry, windy conditions making large runs, spreading mainly to the north during the day, impacting the town of Meeker. This activity created a large smoke cloud known as a pyrocumulus column that collapsed causing the fire to jump Hwy 13 and rapidly spread over 100 acres before aviation resources could get to the fire front and it. The activity took less than 10 minutes to get to the ridge of the Hogback. Firefighters repositioned to prioritize structures closer to Meeker and use strategic tactics to stop the fire spread towards Meeker. Aircraft was used extensively throughout the day to slow down fire progression and to stop the spread of the fire further north.
The Elk Fire saw heightened activity during the day mainly on the interior of the fire. Areas of the fire burned together without majorly increasing the footprint of the fire.
Current Situation: Fire personnel are working on stopping additional spread on the northeastern part of the Lee fire where it connects to Hogback. Night shift, day shift, and swing shift are continuing to monitor and strengthen line on the north side of the fire and provide structure protection around the clock work. On the south and eastern side of the fire, personnel are working to find lines to catch the fire and reduce spread. As more resources are able to mobilize to the incident, this will provide a greater capacity to increase fire suppression efforts.
On the Elk Fire, firefighters are going to reinforce line in the west and north side of the fire and continue structure protection. With red flag warnings and extreme weather in both fires, similar afternoon fire conditions are expected.
Weather & Fire Behavior: Red Flag weather is anticipated lasting through at least Saturday. Expect fire weather to continue with hot temperatures ranging in the 80s, very low relative humidities near 11 percent, and primary southwest winds 18 mph with gusts of 35 mph. Extreme fire behavior is expected to continue, especially in the afternoon causing large fire growth, particularly on steep slopes, wind-exposed mesas, and areas of continuous flammable vegetation promoting rapid fire spread.
Evacuations and Closures: Go to the Rio Branco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice – for accurate up-to-date information on all evacuations and road closures. To sign up for emergency alerts go to: https://rioblancoalerts.genasys.com/portal/en
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area will be increased today to provide fire aviation resources a safe working environment. Pilots need to review the new TFR area.
Air Quality: Current air quality for your area can be found at fire.airnow.gov.
Elk and Lee Fire Information: Phone: 970-341-8665
This is a new number and will not change in the future.
Email: [email protected]
Iniciweb Lee Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-lee-fire
Inciweb Elk Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire
