The Lee Fire located just west of Meeker continues to grow, though at a much slower pace than it was a week or so ago.

According to the most recent update on this blaze, the fire has reached a size of 137,755 acres. It’s been the fifth-largest fire in state history since August 11 after passing the 108,045-acre Spring Creek Fire of 2018, but if any more growth occurs, there’s a good chance it jumps into the 4th-place ranking.

Currently, the 4th-largest fire in Colorado state history is the Hayman Fire of 2002, which reached 137,760 acres – just five additional acres compared to the ongoing Lee Fire.

Recent days of fighting the Lee Fire, however, have been a success, with containment of the blaze increasing to 73 percent. The only uncontained portion of the blaze is located on its southern edge at this point, though this is also where some of the more recent growth has occurred.

It’s also worth noting that hot and dry conditions are expected on Thursday, with erratic outflow winds in the range of 35 to 45 miles per hour expected in the afternoon. A wetter weather pattern is expected this weekend after possible storms on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Elk Fire, which is located just east of Meeker, has reached 100 percent containment at 14,518 acres. A total of 426 personnel are working the duo of nearby blazes.

A key factor in the extreme fire behavior in this part of the state has been drought. In Rio Blanco County, where both of the aforementioned fires are burning, 100 percent of land is at the third of four drought tiers or worse, with 54 percent of land falling into the fourth and most severe tier of drought.

Some closures and evacuations remain underway as a result of these fires.

Additional information about the Lee Fire can be found here.