A wildfire sparked by lighting in northwest Colorado has, so far, destroyed three buildings, including two homes, while growing to more than 3,000 acres overnight into Monday.

Additionally, two other fires in the Meeker area continue to grow, according to the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado.

As of Monday around noon, the blaze destroyed two houses and one outbuilding as evacuation orders remain in effect southeast of Meeker, according to the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office.

The evacuation order is for County Road 8 from mile marker 11 to mile marker 16, which sheriff’s office officials said is “impacting both sides of the road.”

Evacuees are directed to the Fairfield Center, 200 Main Street, Meeker.

On Sunday, Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration to support emergency response efforts for the Elk Creek fire in Rio Blanco County.

The declaration allows the state to mobilize resources and personnel to support the interagency aviation and ground crews that have been battling the blaze since Saturday, according to officials.

Crews on the ground and in the air continue to battle the large growing wildfire on Monday.

Officials called the blaze “aggressive,” adding it expanded overnight after spot fires crossed the White River on Sunday.

The Elk fire is burning on Colorado Division of Wildland and Bureau of Land Management property. The fire is fueled by pinyon, juniper and oak brush within the privately owned land, according to the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office.

“With today’s weather conditions and an active red flag warning in effect, we anticipate increased fire activity,” officials said Monday morning.

Officials said County Road 8 is closed from Mile Marker 11 to Mile Marker 16, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Alternate access to areas above MM 16 is available via Buford-New Castle Road ( County Road 17/Forest Service Road 245) or County Road 8 over Ripple Creek,” authorities said. 

The National Weather Service out of Grand Junction issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels.

2 other fires grow near Meeker 

The Lee fire first rose on Saturday and is now estimated at 700 acres with no known containment, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

The separate fire is burning 20 miles southwest of Meeker on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management White River Field Office.

Meanwhile, the Grease fire, first reported on Sunday, is estimated to be 1,000 acres and no known containment, Bureau of Land Management officials said.

The Grease fire remains active 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 Bureau of Land Management White River Field Office.

There appears no active evacuation orders for the two other fires.

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment has issued wildfire smoke warnings in Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, and Routt Counties.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Colorado Springs Gazette reporter O’Dell Isaac contributed to this report.