Two houses and one outbuilding were destroyed by a wildfire burning east of Meeker in northwestern Colorado, fire officials said Monday morning, warning that more structures are at risk.
The Elk fire was sparked by lightning Saturday and exploded to 3,000 acres, officials with the Bureau of Land Management said. Crews are fighting the fire by air and ground as it burns through dry fuels on private land, state land and Bureau of Land Management land.
The fire is burning about 10 miles east of Meeker, off Rio Blanco County Road 8. Meeker is about 40 miles north of Rifle on the Western Slope, where conditions are extremely dry.
The fire remained active through the night, but did not grow or make “notable runs,” the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office said. On Sunday, firefighters prioritized fighting several spot fires that crossed the White River, officials said.
Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Elk fire.
“Fire conditions in northwest Colorado are at near record levels, and elevated fire weather and fire risk is forecast for the coming week,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
The sheriff’s office ordered evacuations in the area, while other homes remain under pre-evacuation notices. The latest evacuation orders can be found on the sheriff’s Facebook page.
Officials expect more fire activity Monday as gusty winds blow across dry fuels in the area.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for hot, dry and windy conditions Monday afternoon and evening that could heighten the fire’s activity and growth.
Three other large wildfires are burning in northwestern Colorado in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties.
Three other large wildfires are burning in northwestern Colorado in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties.
The Grease and Lee fires are burning a combined 5,000 acres about 18 miles southwest of Meeker, the Bureau of Land Management said Monday afternoon.
Both fires were sparked by lightning, officials said. The Grease fire was discovered just before 2 p.m. Sunday and the Lee fire was reported Saturday.
There is no known containment for the Elk, Grease or Lee fires.
“Both fires have been very active since initial response, and additional significant growth is expected today, the Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team said in an update. “Firefighters are utilizing direct tactics and focusing on protecting identified values at risk, including ranch and oil and gas infrastructure.”
Farther west near the Colorado-Utah border, the Jack Springs fire is burning 7 miles north of Massadona in Moffat County, the BLM said. It is estimated at 105 acres and 80% contained. It is burning on both private and BLM-managed lands.