DENVER (KDVR) — Information is continuing to be released from state agencies after several wildfires across Colorado caused evacuations and pre-evacuations after growing in size.
Some of the wildfires across the state continue to burn, while others are causing pre-evacuation notices to be lifted.
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.
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Lee Fire near Highway 13 continues to burn in Rio Blanco County. (Curtesy: Bobby Gutierrez/Wendll’s) -
Lee Fire near Highway 13 continues to burn in Rio Blanco County. (Curtesy: Bobby Gutierrez/Wendll’s) -
Lee Fire near Highway 13 continues to burn in Rio Blanco County. (Curtesy: Bobby Gutierrez/Wendll’s)
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.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
