While the evacuation status in several zones are being downgraded around the Elk and Lee Fires in western Colorado, officials are still urging all to stay vigilant and remember that conditions can quickly change as there is still active fire in the area. Multiple smoke columns are still easy to spot on the Lee Fire as interior fuels continue to be consumed. As of Wednesday’s last report, the Elk Fire is 100% contained at 14,518 acres and the Lee Fire is 68% contained at 137,755 acres. There are still 523 personnel assigned to the fires with 5 helicopters, 28 engines, 6 hand crews, 7 water tenders, and 5 dozers. They also shared that another warm and dry day will bring moderate to active fire behavior in unburned islands that still hold heat on their perimeters and surface fire spread along with single tree and group tree torching will produce visible smoke columns.
PC: PIO Anna Bateson
