Lee fire is one of largest blazes in state history after burning 130,000 acres, while Elk fire surpassed 14,000 acres
Firefighters in Colorado responding to one of the largest blazes in the state’s history are facing gusty winds and dry conditions that are expected to continue to drive extreme fire behavior.
More than 1,000 firefighters have been deployed, and while crews have gained containment on one fire, another has grown amid fire-friendly weather.
The Lee fire, churning through dry trees and brush about 250 miles (400km) away from Meeker, is now the fifth largest single fire in the state’s history, according to the Colorado division of fire prevention and control. The area has recently endured extreme drought conditions, and has “volatile” fuel loads, officials said.
The blaze, sparked by lightning on 2 August, had burned through more than 130,000 acres (52,000 hectares) by Monday morning and was just 7% contained. Low humidity and gusty winds were expected to return to the area, which combined with dry fuels, can cause extreme fire behavior, such as winds that carry embers over long distances and cause additional fires, officials aid.
