Wildfires Rage Near Meeker as Lee and Grease Fires Merge
So here’s what’s going on in northwest Colorado right now, and it’s pretty serious. Overnight, two major wildfires — the Lee Fire and the Grease Fire — merged into a single massive blaze in Rio Blanco County, just southwest of Meeker. This now-combined fire has already scorched over 14,000 acres, and it’s still growing fast. The conditions out there — hot, dry, and windy — are fueling the flames and making it incredibly tough for crews to get ahead of it.
Around 300 firefighters have been deployed to the area and are working under the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team. These crews are pushing hard to protect both public lands and nearby properties, but safety remains their top concern — for the public and for their own people on the ground.
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Evacuations have already been ordered across a wide swath of the region. That includes areas south of Highway 64, several county roads, and communities near the fire’s edge. Folks who’ve had to leave their homes can head to the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds, which is open as a shelter. And honestly, with how fast this fire is spreading, more evacuation orders are expected. People in the area are being told to stay alert and be ready to move quickly.
But that’s not the only fire burning. There’s also the LeRoux Fire down in Delta County, which is smaller at about 179 acres but just as dangerous. Governor Jared Polis officially declared a state of disaster there earlier this week, saying it’s outgrown the ability of local crews to handle it. That declaration frees up more resources and assistance from the state.
On top of that, there’s the Elk Fire to the east of Meeker, which has now ballooned to over 7,700 acres — and it’s also completely uncontained. Multiple roads and recreation areas have been shut down, including parts of the White River National Forest, and the National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings and an air quality advisory across the region. Winds of up to 35 miles per hour are making things worse, and all that dry vegetation is just ready to burn.
Crews are using aircraft to drop retardant and water, but even that’s being challenged by the smoke and shifting winds. Officials are still trying to find nearby water sources to make those drops more efficient. Meanwhile, Meeker itself isn’t under evacuation yet — but residents have been strongly urged to be ready. Just in case.
The bottom line is: this is a rapidly evolving situation. If you're in that part of Colorado, keep checking local updates — especially the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. These fires are serious, and the situation could change fast.
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