Lee Fire Becomes 4th-Largest Wildfire in Colorado History, Surpassing Hayman Fire

Lee Fire becomes 4th-largest wildfire in Colorado history, surpassing Hayman Fire

By Austen Erblat Click here for updates on this story     COLORADO (KCNC) — The Lee Fire in northwest Colorado is now the fourth-largest wildfire in the state’s history, recorded at 138,844 acres on Monday evening. The fire burning near Meeker has now surpassed the Hayman Fire, which burned 137,760 acres between Denver and Colorado Springs in 2002. The Lee Fire is 90% contained, but has already destroyed several homes and government structures i…

Lee fire burns 138,844 acres in northwestern Colorado, now 4th largest fire in state history

Despite monsoonal rain, the Lee fire continues to burn in northwestern Colorado, and it is now the fourth-largest wildfire in Colorado state history. The blaze was sparked by lightning Aug. 2 and quickly exploded, racing across dry fuels amid very high temperatures and strong winds. The fire, as of Tuesday morning, was estimated at 138,844 acres and considered 90% contained. The Lee fire surpassed the 2002 Hayman fire, which burned 137,760 acres…

Colorado wildfire forces weeks-long evacuation of state prison

The Colorado Department of Corrections said the evacuation of the Rifle Correctional Center was made out an "abundance of caution" to keep incarcerated individuals safe from the Lee Fire.

Colorado wildfires: Lee fire now fourth-largest in state history

A slowly growing, nearly contained wildfire burning on Colorado’s Western Slope is now the fourth-largest on state record, according to fire officials. As of Monday night, the 90% contained Lee fire had scorched 138,844 acres between Meeker and Rifle. It grew by 1,086 acres on Monday, after multiple days with minimal to no growth. The new acres consumed by the Lee fire bumped the wildfire from fifth-largest to fourth-largest in Colorado history,…

Monsoon rain looks to help Colorado wildfires Derby & Lee slow spreading

Forecasted rain showers in western Colorado throughout this week look to help suppress two wildfires burning in Eagle/Garfield and Rio Blanco counties as monsoonal flows continue across the state.

Lee Fire now fourth-largest in state history

The Lee Fire between Meeker and Rifle is now officially the fourth-largest in the history of the state, following more accurate mapping of its size.