US EditionSome Meeker Residents Are Voluntarily Evacuating Due to the Lee and Elk Fires | News Channel 3-12
RIO BLANCO COUNTY, COLORADO, AUG 8 – Two lightning-caused wildfires have burned nearly 60,000 acres around Meeker, prompting pre-evacuation orders and mobilization of nearly 500 firefighters and the National Guard.
- On Saturday, two lightning-ignited wildfires near Meeker burned nearly 60,000 acres and prompted a pre-evacuation notice, officials said.
- Amid drought on the Western Slope, lightning started on August 2 igniting the Lee Fire and Grease Fire, fueling fire spread.
- Thursday afternoon, the Lee Fire grew from 22,000 to 58,000 acres, and the Elk Fire nearly doubled from 8,000 to 14,250 acres.
- By Wednesday afternoon, 2,500 residents were under evacuation orders, with Moffat County High School shelter open and Meeker still under pre-evacuation, officials said.
- Future concerns include federal cost coverage and ecosystem impacts, as FEMA approved grants covering 75% of firefighting costs, with habitat loss threatening the upcoming hunting season.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Steamboat Pilot & Today
Craig PressThreat of fast-moving fires keep Meeker residents on edge as flames continue to spread in Rio Blanco
A carpet of smoke stretched across the horizon on Thursday evening as Meeker residents Jack and Ava Bowles spoke of their worries, and plans, as the flames of the Lee Fire danced around them. The couple is among many residents Thursday night that were in the “Set” stage of the Ready, Set, Go evacuation plans that have been implemented by emergency personnel in the area after the Lee and Elk fires began last weekend in Rio Blanco County. Like man…
Colorado Springs Gazette
Denver GazetteMeeker quiet, self-evacuated as Elk and Lee fires surpass 75,000 combined acres Thursday
The town of Meeker has been self-evacuated as the nearby Elk and Lee fires surpassed 75,000 combined acres Thursday.
Some Meeker residents are voluntarily evacuating due to the Lee and Elk Fires
By Jessica Porter Click here for updates on this story MEEKER, Colorado (KMGH) — Some residents in Meeker have decided to voluntarily evacuate as two wildfires threaten the small town on Colorado’s Western Slope. Meeker, home to roughly 2,300 residents, is located near the White River and surrounded by public lands. The town is well known for outdoor activities. On August 2, lightning started two fires: the Lee Fire and the Grease Fire. The …
Lee fire in northwestern Colorado, fueled by strong winds, grows to 60,000 acres
The lightning-caused Lee fire burning on Colorado’s Western Slope near Meeker continued to grow under strong winds and has now scorched more than 60,000 acres, fire officials said Thursday morning. After a spot fire spread Thursday into the Colorado 64 corridor west of Meeker, firefighters stopped the flames from making a run across the highway, officials with the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team said. Hotshot crews made prog…
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