By Shannon Lukens. Photo of the Lee and Grease Fire in Rio Blanco County.
Photo of Steamboat Springs coming down Rabbit Ears Pass.
The Bureau of Land Management is updating the fires that are causing so much smoke in Northwest Colorado.
Wildfires continue to burn in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties. The Elk Fire is about 11 miles east of Meeker, and has burned at least 3,000 acres. One primary structure and four outbuildings have been lost.
The Grease Fire has burned about 1,000 acres, with no known containment. It is about 12 miles west of Meeker, in the upper end of Rio Blanco County.
The Lee Fire is at 700 acres with no containment. It is about 20 miles southwest of Meeker on BLM lands. Update from the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office for the Lee Fire: New Evacuation order for Highway 64 mile marker 58 through mile marker 67 and everything south of Highway 64, this includes County Road 127, County Road 129, County Road 66 and Brightwater Lane.
UPDATE at 5 p.m. on Lee and Grease Fires from the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office. These fires are both being managed by Wyoming Type-3 Incident Management Team under the leadership of Incident Commander Matt Weakland. “Both fires have been very active since initial response, and additional significant growth is expected today. Firefighters are utilizing indirect tactics and focusing on protecting identified values at risk, including ranch and oil and gas infrastructure. Two helicopters are assisting firefighters on the ground.” A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Monday and Tuesday by the National Weather Service. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for sensitive groups.
The Jack Springs Fire is at about 105 acres and 80% contained, seven miles west of Massadona in Moffat County.
Check PurpleAir.com for an update on smoke and air levels. It is fluctuating in the upper 160s in Steamboat Springs and Routt County right now, which means some members of the general public may experience health effects within 24 hours of exposure. Those with sensitive conditions may experience more serious health effects.
Check PurpleAir.com for an update on levels closer to Moffat County. It is fluctuating in the mid to upper 40s in Hayden and at Elkhead Reservoir right now, which means some members of sensitive groups may experience health effects within 24 hours of exposure. The general public is less likely to be affected.
PRESS RELEASE from Routt County Monday, Aug. 4
Air Quality Advisory for Routt County
Routt County, CO, August 4, 2025 – An air quality advisory for wildfire smoke has been issued for parts of Routt County. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the following information (Avisos en Español para todo el Estado (Colorado)):
Affected Area: eastern Rio Blanco, eastern Garfield, Eagle, and Routt Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Meeker, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, El Jebel, Basalt, Eagle, Vail, and Steamboat Springs.
Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Monday, August 4, 2025 to 9:00 AM MDT, Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
Outlook: Smoke from several fires in Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties will produce areas of moderate to heavy smoke on Monday and Tuesday. The greatest impacts are expected in areas in the immediate vicinity of these fires, particularly in sheltered areas and low lying terrain. Additional smoke impacts may be experienced across the advisory area due to transport of smoke on Monday and Tuesday.
For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx
For the latest Smoke Blog, visit: https://colosmokeoutlook.blogspot.com/
For more information about smoke and your health, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke-and-health
Find local air quality resources online at https://www.co.routt.co.us/160/Air-Quality
Multiple fires reported in Northwest Colorado
MEEKER, Colo. — Recent thunderstorm activity sparked multiple wildland fires in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties in northwest Colorado.
The Elk Fire, initially reported the afternoon of Aug. 2, is estimated to be 3,000 acres and is burning in the Oak Ridge area 10 miles east of Meeker on a combination of BLM, state and private lands. Evacuations have been ordered for Country Road 8 from Mile Marker 11 to Mile Marker 16. An evacuation location is set up at 200 Main Street in Meeker. One primary structure and four outbuildings have been reported as lost. Local Type 3 initial attack teams are currently battling the fire with the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three expected to transition to management tomorrow. Steep terrain, winds, and dry fuels are making the fire resistant to firefighting efforts. The fire is visible from the town of Meeker and along Rio Blanco County Road 8.
The Lee Fire, first reported the afternoon of Aug. 2, is currently estimated at 700 acres with no known containment. The fire is burning 20 miles southwest of Meeker on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management White River Field Office.
The Grease Fire, first reported the afternoon of Aug. 3, is estimated to be 1,000 acres in size with no known containment. The fire is burning roughly 12 miles west of Meeker in the upper end of Rio Blanco County along Road 22 on both state-managed lands and lands managed by the BLM White River Field Office.
A Type 3 control team from Wyoming is managing both the Lee Fire and the Grease Fire. Oil and gas infrastructure as well as power infrastructure are at risk. Fires are visible from the town of Meeker, Colorado State Highway 13 and 64, and Rio Blanco County Road 5.
The Jack Springs Fire is estimated to be 105 acres in size at 80% containment seven miles north of Massadona in grass, sagebrush, pinyon, and juniper. The fire is burning on both private and BLM White River Field Office. Local initial attack BLM engines along with Moffat County resources are engaging the fire utilizing direct attack methods to minimize the spread and maximize firefighter safety.
Similar warm, dry weather is forecasted for the area for Monday, with Weather Service issuing a Fire Weather Watch for Monday for dry fuels, low relative humidity and gusty winds. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority on all of these incidents. Please use caution when traveling in the areas of these fires as firefighting crews and resources will be traveling the same routes as they respond to these incidents.
This information is current as of 10 a.m. Aug. 4, 2025