Fast-moving wildfires burn nearly 21,000 acres across northwestern Colorado
Firefighters are working to gain control over several lightning-caused wildfires that by Tuesday morning had burned across nearly 21,000 acres in northwestern Colorado.
The fires sparked over the weekend after a lightning storm struck on parched land near Meeker in Rio Blanco County and rapidly grew Monday due to very hot, dry and windy conditions on the Western Slope.
Both the Elk and Lee fires made large runs Monday and spread north, east and south throughout the day, fire officials said.
The Elk fire is estimated at 13,025 acres, as of Tuesday morning, and is burning about 10 miles east of Meeker. The Lee fire, which now includes nearby Grease fire, is burning 7,750 acres about 18 miles southwest of Meeker, officials said.
About 300 firefighters are on scene fighting the fires, including 30 engines and six hand crews, according to an update from the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team, which took over command of the fires at 6 a.m.
Crews worked to protect structures along the Colorado 64 corridor in the Lee fire area and at the Big Beaver drainage on the north side of the Elk fire, officials said. But Tuesday’s weather is expected to bring more challenging conditions for firefighters.
