Evacuations ordered for wildfire burning southeast of Meeker in western Colorado
The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for a wildfire burning southeast of Meeker.
The fire, named the Elk Fire, has burned about 600 acres off Rio Blanco County Road 8 about 11 miles from Meeker, the county sheriff’s office said. It was first spotted on Saturday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office said homes along County Road 8 between mile marker 11 (County Road 57/Miller Creek) and mile marker 16 are being evacuated.
Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday verbally declared a disaster emergency to support response efforts for the fire. The governor’s office said the sheriff’s office requested assistance from the state, and his order provides for additional resources and state support to manage and suppress the fire.
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