Latest news with #ElkFire
Mint
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Mint
Colorado wildfire: 1,000+ firefighters fight massive blaze near Denver — Thousands forced to flee, prison evacuated
Colorado is grappling with one of its largest wildfires on record as more than 1,000 firefighters work to contain the Lee Fire, which is raging about 250 miles (400km) west of Denver. The blaze, sparked by lightning on 2 August, has scorched over 130,000 acres (52,610 hectares) and is only 7% contained, according to the state's Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Evacuation orders have been issued for mountain communities in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. Officials continue to urge residents in nearby areas to stay prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary. Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster emergency to help bolster firefighting resources. On Saturday, all 179 inmates at the Rifle Correctional Center were relocated about 150 miles (240km) away to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex as a precaution. The Colorado Department of Corrections confirmed the prisoners were relocated about 150 miles (240 km) to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex. No injuries or structural damage have been reported so far. The Lee Fire is one of several burning in the region. The Elk Fire, east of the Lee blaze, has consumed over 14,000 acres and is 30% contained. In southern Colorado, Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for the Oak Fire near Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County to bolster response efforts. Officials warn that gusty winds and low humidity could further fuel the flames in coming days. Forecasters warn that gusty winds and low humidity in the coming days could make containment efforts even more difficult. No injuries or structural losses have been reported so far.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Colorado deploys more than 1,000 firefighters to battle two huge blazes
Colorado is battling one of the largest wildfires in the state's history, with more than 1,000 firefighters being deployed to gain control over the flames raging west of Denver. The Lee fire, churning through trees and brush about 250 miles (400km away from Meaker, is now the fifth largest single fire in the state's history, according to the Colorado division of fire prevention and control. The blaze was caused by lightning on 2 August, and by Monday morning, had burned through more than 130,000 acres (52,610 hectares). It is 7% contained. The fire is one of several blazes in the region. Another major blaze, the Elk fire, is burning to the east of the Lee fire, and has scorched more than 14,000 acres and is 30% contained. On Monday, the Colorado governor, Jared Polis, declared a disaster emergency to support response efforts for the Oak fire, which is burning in Pagosa Springs, Archuleta county. Evacuation are in place for mountain communities across Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. On Saturday, the Rifle correctional center was evacuated. Smoke caused by the fires hs prompted air quality warnings. Meanwhile, in southern California, crews reached more than 90% containment on the Canyon fire that forced evacuations and destroyed seven structures after breaking out Thursday near the Los Angeles county and Ventura county line. Three firefighters have been injured in that blaze, including a battalion chief who was seriously hurt when his pickup truck rolled over in steep terrain. The Gifford fire, California's largest blaze so far this year, has scorched nearly 120,000 acres of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since erupting on 1 August. It was 33% contained on Monday.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Colorado National Guard mobilized to support Elk, Lee fire suppression efforts
DENVER (KDVR) — On Wednesday night, Gov. Jared Polis authorized the mobilization of the Colorado National Guard to aid with fire response near Meeker. The authorization allows the state authority to use the National Guard assets in fire suppression efforts if necessary. More evacuations ordered for multiple wildfires in Colorado The Governor's Office noted that the wind has continued to drive the Rio Blanco County fires, pushing the Lee Fire to jump Highway 13 on Wednesday and leading to the area around Meeker being evacuated and the town of Meeker being placed on pre-evacuation status. The Lee Fire, as of Wednesday evening, was estimated to have burned 45,000 acres, according to the Colorado Governor's Office. Over the weekend, Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Fire in Rio Blanco County, which is still burning southeast of Meeker. That declaration was updated on Tuesday to include the Lee Fire, which had previously been burning only on Bureau of Land Management lands. State Emergency Operations and Resource Mobilization Plans were also activated with the disaster declaration. A link to view the live evacuations map in Rio Blanco County is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Colorado wildfires: Rio Blanco County, Grand County updates
DENVER (KDVR) — Information is continuing to be released from state agencies after several wildfires across Colorado caused evacuations and pre-evacuations as they grew in size. Some of the wildfires across the state continue to burn, while others are causing pre-evacuation notices to be lifted. Colorado Wildfire Map Rio Blanco County: Lee and Elk Fires Two large wildfires in Rio Blanco County continue to burn more than 70,000 acres. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported that as of 7 a.m. on Friday, the Lee and Elk Fires both had a 0% containment. The Lee Fire was reported to have burned 60,976 acres and the Elk Fire had burned 14,518 acres. North Metro Fire Rescue posted to X on Friday, saying that four wildland team members on Monday were sent out to work on the Elk Fire and have been working overnight with Brighton Fire Rescue. 'Structure protection continues to be the main focus as well as finding advantageous spots to stop forward progress of the fire,' said NMFR. Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday night authorized the mobilization of the Colorado National Guard to aid with fire response for the Rio Blanco County fires. This announcement came after evacuations and pre-evacuations were issued in certain areas in the county throughout the week, which can be found on Rio Blanco County's website. On Sunday, Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Fire, which was later updated on Tuesday to include the Lee Fire. Grand County: Windy Gap Fire On Friday, around 11 a.m. Grand County said that the pre-evacuation notices have been lifted, after being issued on Wednesday for Zones G41 and G48 due to the Windy Gap Fire. Grand County said this decision was made after the county's sheriff and the Windy Gap Fire Incident Commander evaluated 'the current and projected fire behavior' and decided to lift the previously issued pre-evacuation notices. On Thursday, the county posted to Facebook, saying that the Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution declaring a Local Disaster Emergency in Grand County due to the wildfire. 'This is an important first step in the emergency management process, and puts Grand County in a better position for recovering funds related to the Windy Gap Fire and its impacts,' said the county. As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, the Grand County Sheriff's Office reported that the Windy Gap Fire was approximately 30 acres and 40% contained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Correctional center in Garfield County evacuated due to Lee Fire threat
DENVER (KDVR) — 179 individuals in custody at Rifle Correctional Center are being evacuated due to the Lee Fire in Rio Blanco County. The Colorado Department of Corrections said on Saturday in a press release that the agency is transferring individuals within the correctional center in Garfield County to 'other secure facilities outside of the fire-affected area.' Colorado wildfires: Rio Blanco County, Grand County updates This comes after evacuation notices were implemented for Zone 70 on Saturday in Garfield County, said the Garfield County Sheriff's Office in a Facebook post. Two wildfires, the Lee and Elk Fires, have burned more than 100,000 acres in Rio Blanco County as of Saturday. The Lee Fire, as of 5:00 p.m., has burned 88,755 acres and the Elk Fire has burned 14,502 acres. Around 5:10 p.m., it was reported on InciWeb that the Elk Fire was 8% contained. The Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook that as of 10:30 a.m., the Lee Fire was 0% contained. 'Rifle Correctional Center staff have implemented the facility's emergency evacuation plan, ensuring the safe transfer of residents with enhanced security and strong coordination among partner agencies,' said CDOC. Colorado Wildfire Map The coordination is said by CDOC to be with state and local emergency management officials. CDOC also said that there are no reports of injuries to staff or individuals within the correctional center and that it is monitoring conditions of the Lee fire. The agency also noted that they will take any required steps to 'protect staff, incarcerated individuals and the surrounding community.' There is no word on where those evacuated from Rifle Correctional Center will be relocated, but CDOC said it will provide updates 'when it is appropriate to do so.' This is a developing news story. FOX31 will update when more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
