Forecasted rain showers in western Colorado throughout this week look to help suppress two wildfires burning in Eagle/Garfield and Rio Blanco counties as monsoonal flows continue across the state.

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction forecasts rain showers each afternoon, high temperatures in the mid 50s and light winds for areas near both fires.

As of Monday, the Derby fire burning along the Eagle and Garfield County line and located about 13 miles north of Doterso, Colorado, grew to approximately 5,346 acres by Monday morning, adding only another 96 acres to the total burned area.

The fire is still 0% contained and 648 personnel are working the blaze.

Operations Section Chief Philip Knaub said on the Derby fire’s Facebook page in a video update on Monday, “with wet weather yesterday, we do not expect to see growth in fire acreage from Sunday afternoon August 24 moving into Monday morning August 25, 2025.”

Knaub also said Sunday’s weather did not allow for an overnight infrared flight, which maps the fire’s perimeter and informs changes in fire acreage, however, prior to the rain firefighters were able to continue to work on the west, southwest, south, southeast and eastern edges of the fire.

Incident Meteorologist Ryan Fliehman said the fire footprint received gradual afternoon rain, ranging between 1/10 inch to 1/2 inch on Sunday, allowing for soils to soak up moisture rather than promoting run off of rain water.

Fliehman also said the largest concern for Monday was the potential for localized flash flooding and debris flows, especially in burn scars areas.

Fire officials said hotshot crews will continue to build a direct line on the west/southwest fire edge near the Hack Creek drainage and will be assessing opportunities to build a direct line along the fire edge east of where burnout operations were conducted earlier last week near the Horse Creek drainage.

Forest closures are still in place within the Blanco and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Districts, starting north of Sweetwater Lake, following the Forest boundary north and east to the intersection of the Derby Loop Road (Eagle County Road 39); following Middle Derby Creek generally northwest to Island Lakes; then, generally south following the Island Lakes Trail, the W Mountain Trail, the Turret-Crescent Trail  and the Turret Creek Trail back to Sweetwater Lake.

Garfield and Eagle counties changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley and Sheep Creek to pre-evacuation. 

More evacuation information is available at https://arcg.is/S0u4G and www.ecemergency.org, including where to shelter and resources for pets and livestock.

For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Derby Fire Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/DerbyFire.

The Lee fire burning in Rio Blanco County near Meeker, Colorado is nearing full containment, now at 90%, but still has burned 137,758 acres as of Monday morning.

Two hundred and sixty six total personnel are fighting the blaze, with one helicopter, nine engines, three hand crews, two water tenders and two dozers.

On Sunday, fire officials said fire activity remained minimal, with only isolated creeping and smoldering observed within the perimeter. Fire crews concentrated on securing the constructed line, conducting patrol and mop-up along existing containment, and advancing suppression repair in coordination with Resource Advisors.

However, continued rainfall is expected to elevate the risk of flash flooding and debris flows within burned and surrounding areas.

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The FDNY Incident Management Team assumed command of fire operations on Monday and said crews will work on the southwest flank, continuing patrols and work to secure the fire’s perimeter. Suppression repair and debris removal will be ongoing across all divisions, conducted in coordination with resource advisors as well.

For accurate up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures for Rio Blanco County go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.