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[Read More…]
Tag: wildfire
Fire Update: Wednesday, Aug. 6
IMPORTANT: There is a community meeting tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 6) at 7 p.m. at Meeker High School. Fire managers and local authorities will present on current and future fire, weather, and evacuation status. Directly after the presentations there will be fire managers, local authorities, and public information officers available at[Read More…]
Elk Fire update: Monday, Aug. 4
MEEKER | Rio Blanco County officials held an emergency meeting Monday morning with updates on the Elk Fire, approximately 11 miles east of Meeker on County Road 8, following a “chaotic” day Sunday. County officials now confirm the Elk Fire at approximately 2,000 acres. Sheriff Anthony Mazzola reiterated that the[Read More…]
Elk Fire prompts emergency declaration, evacuation notice
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[Read More…]
Cave Creek Fire …
Firefighters are monitoring the lightning-ignited Cave Creek Fire 20 miles southeast of Meeker and one mile south of the South Fork Campground. The ¼-acre fire was discovered Saturday when a small amount of smoke was visible, but it has likely been smoldering in the moist mixed-conifer forest for at least[Read More…]
Fire Preparedness, Part 2
This week’s column continues concerning fire preparedness with a focus on communications. Notifications. Be sure your phone number has been registered at the Rio Blanco Alert Notification System. If there is a fire emergency near your residence, you will receive a call, email, or text depending on your choices. You[Read More…]
Kaye’s Corner: Wildfire evacuation
MEEKER | Sadly, wildfire season is back. It’s only early April and Rio Blanco County has a serious fire. Jay and I saw it erupt while on a leisurely drive upriver on Sunday afternoon. The smoke spread rapidly and as we returned to town, we could see the fires spreading[Read More…]
Update: County Road 8 fire 100% contained
RBC | A fire approximately eight miles up County Road 8 had Rio Blanco Fire, BLM, RBC Road and Bridge and Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s office responding early Sunday afternoon on April 11. The sheriff’s office asked the public to stay clear of the area to allow crews to work.[Read More…]
New fire start south of Rangely
RANGELY | A new fire has been reported south of Rangely at mile marker 15 on County Road 116. No structures are threatened at this time.
New wildfires west of Meeker
Update: 6:20 p.m. July 13: According to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office there are eight reports of fires in the county at this time. CRFR is sending a type 6 engine and crews to help support the Stewart Gulch Fire on the Roan Plateau per a mutual aid request[Read More…]
Streeter Fire exceeds 1,000 acres, zero containment
UPDATED: 3:29 p.m. July 6, 2020 A wildfire near Mile Marker 61 on Hwy. 13 north of Meeker has prompted the evacuation of Colowyo mine Tuesday afternoon, according to the Craig Press. The fire, of undetermined origin, jumped the highway earlier Tuesday, fueled by dry conditions and high winds. The[Read More…]
Hwy. 13 north of Meeker impacted by wildfire
Firefighters are on scene at a wildfire between Nine Mile Gap and County Rd. 80 — about 13-15 miles north of Meeker. Travel delays are possible and smoke may be visible from the road.