Prison evacuation in Colorado as raging wildfire surges to become one of the largest in the state's history.
The Lee Fire in Colorado, currently the sixth-largest single fire in the state's history, is causing significant concern. According to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the fire has charred over 167 square miles (433 square kilometers) across Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, with 133,841 acres burned as of now. The fire is 12% contained, and over 800 evacuation orders have been issued in these counties due to this wildfire. So far, three residential buildings and 12 outbuildings have been destroyed.
Firefighters have deployed 1,274 personnel, along with helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and drones, to combat the extreme and unprecedented behavior of the fire. The threat to the town of Meeker is no longer considered imminent, although resources remain in place to monitor the area.
In a separate incident, the Gifford Fire in California, the largest blaze this year, has scorched at least 180 square miles in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. As of Sunday, the Gifford Fire was 21% contained. However, the fire has caused injuries to one firefighter, a battalion chief who was seriously hurt when his pickup truck rolled over in steep terrain.
The Canyon Fire, located in Southern California, has reached 62% containment. Despite this, the fire forced evacuations, destroyed seven structures, and caused injuries to three firefighters.
In Colorado, the Rifle Correctional Center was evacuated on Saturday due to the wildfire. The evacuated individuals were temporarily relocated about 150 miles (240 kilometers) away to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex.
Health officials have issued air quality warnings due to smoke from the Lee Fire and the Elk Fire, which is burning just to the east of the Lee Fire.
In summary:
- Containment: 12% (Lee Fire), 62% (Canyon Fire), 21% (Gifford Fire)
- Acres burned: 133,841 (Lee Fire), Unknown (Canyon Fire), 180 square miles (Gifford Fire)
- Evacuation orders: Over 800 in Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties (Lee Fire), Unknown (Canyon Fire), Unknown (Gifford Fire)
- Structures destroyed: 3 residential, 12 outbuildings (Lee Fire), 7 structures (Canyon Fire)
- Fire behavior: Described as extreme and unprecedented by firefighting officials (Lee Fire), Unknown (Canyon Fire), Unknown (Gifford Fire)
- Current threat: Meeker no longer under immediate threat, but monitoring continues (Lee Fire), Unknown (Canyon Fire), Unknown (Gifford Fire)
US science, particularly in the field of environmental-science, is closely monitoring the weather conditions affecting the Colorado wildfires, such as the Lee Fire. As the Lee Fire continues to pose a significant threat to the environment and communities like Meeker, scientists are studying its behavior and predicting future trends to aid firefighters in their combat efforts.
