Lee Fire burns more than 113,000 acres, now 5th largest fire in Colorado history

Firefighters in Colorado are battling the Lee Fire, which has scorched more than 113,000 acres as of Monday morning. The fire forced the evacuation of a prison over the weekend, and officials are warning residents to be prepared to evacuate if winds pick up as dry weather persists.

Impact

Evacuation orders were issued for several communities as the Lee Fire is just 7% contained as of publication. On Saturday, officials ordered the evacuation of 179 prisoners from the Rifle Correctional Center “out of an abundance of caution,” the Colorado Department of Corrections announced. The inmates have been temporarily sent 150 miles away to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex, according to a news release.

Meanwhile, the Lee Fire continues to burn roughly 250 miles west of Denver and is now the fifth-largest fire in state history, as reported by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. There have been no reported injuries associated with the fire so far.

More than 1,000 firefighters battle the Lee Fire

Officials said more than 1,000 firefighters are working to get the fire under control and away from highways and roads. Personnel at the southern end of the fire are experiencing difficult circumstances in fighting the flames due to drought conditions, according to officials.

“This is the kind of fire that is really driven in part by the significant drought-stressed fuels that are out there,” Bethany Uban, a fire information officer, told NPR.

Air quality warnings have also reportedly been issued due to the smoke from the Lee Fire and Elk Fire burning to the east.

Wildfires in California

As Straight Arrow News reported, the Canyon Fire in Southern California continues to burn but is now 91% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire forced evacuations and destroyed at least seven structures after sparking on Aug. 7 outside of Los Angeles. Three firefighters were injured, including one battalion chief who reportedly suffered serious injuries after his pickup truck flipped over in the mountainous terrain.

The Gifford Fire, California’s largest fire this year, also continues to burn. Nearly 120,000 acres have burned so far with 33% containment, according to Cal Fire.