The evacuation zone 70, located northwest of Rifle, was raised to “go” (red) now evacuate the status around 2 pm Saturday due to the Wapiti and Lee fires, according to the Garfield County Sheriff.
Residents of zone 70 should evacuate by heading south to Rifle on County Road 253 (Piceance Creek Road) to Highway 13. Highway 13 was closed in both directions in kilometer 4, just north of Rifle, around noon on Saturday, but local traffic is still authorized through the closed area.
The zone 70 is the first evacuation zone of the county of Garfield to be placed under compulsory evacuation (red status).
Around 6 am, the 80 and 81 areas in the north of the Garfield County were improved in “adjusted” evacuation status (yellow). Residents are invited to stay alert and be ready to leave if the conditions get worse. To check your evacuation zone, visit https://tinyurl.com/nxmx65hj.
The fire Lee, burning west of Meeker, is around 92,047 acres with 0% containing. The southeast part of the fire is becoming more and more active near the county of Route 60 and moving southwest of the motorway 13. Air operations will continue to support strategic shots and firefighters work to defend critical resources and private residences in the region, according to an update on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Lee Fire Information. An air quality alert due to the smoke of Lee’s fire was issued for Garfield County on Saturday morning.
The Fire Elk, located 11 miles southeast of Meeker, is currently burning at around 14,635 acres with 8% confinement.
This story will continue to be updated.
