Today’s thick haze in Summit County is coming from four new wildfires to our west, all of them flaring up in the past two days, and three of them in Rio Blanco County.
Elk Fire
The largest fire is the Elk Fire southeast of Meeker. The latest estimate shows it has burned more than 4,000 acres since Saturday, Aug. 2 at noon. There is no containment.
The Elk Fire has destroyed at least three structures, including two homes. More than 50 homes are evacuated, by order of Rio Blanco County Sheriff, and multiple neighborhoods are under pre-evacuation.
On Sunday, Aug. 3 Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency, promising more state support for local firefighters.
The Elk Fire was likely caused by lightning.
Grease, Lee and Coulter Creek fires
Three other fires are still growing after burning an estimated 1,800 acres in 48 hours.
The Grease and Lee fires have burned more than 1,700 acres west of Meeker on a mix of state and Bureau of Land Management property, scorching high-desert pinyon, juniper, grass and brush. Cause on both is unknown.
“There are more than 70 firefighters from hotshot crews, wildland fire modules, helicopters, and local BLM engines that are currently on the ground fighting this fire,” Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office writes on Facebook. “The column of the fire is visible from the town of Meeker.”
The fourth blaze is the Coulter Creek fire near the Garfield-Eagle county line. It erupted on Aug. 3 and burned an estimated 107 acres.
Firefighters today are battling hot, dry conditions and blustery wind. Most of the Western Slope is under Red Flag Warning for dangerous fire conditions.