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Lee fire becomes fourth largest in Colorado history despite continuing monsoonal weather

By August 26, 2025 | updated 3 months ago

Rain in the area of the Lee Fire, which can result in an increased risk of flash flooding. Photo: Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page.
Rain in the area of the Lee fire, which can result in an increased risk of flash flooding. (Photo: Elk and Lee fires information Facebook page)
Courtesy photo, Elk and Lee fires information Facebook page

The Lee fire became the fourth-largest wildfire in Colorado history as updated infrared estimates increased its acreage total Monday night.

The Lee fire in Rio Blanco County ballooned from a 700-acre fire at the start of August to one that’s nearing 140,000 acres, according to a Tuesday news release from Lee fire public information. 

Colorado’s largest 20 fires by acreage

Twenty of 20 largest wildfires have occurred in the last 20 years (since 2001), 16 of the top 20 largest wildfires wildfires have occurred in the last 13 years (since 2008) and nine of top 20 largest wildfires have occurred in the last 3 years (2018 and 2020).

Rank Fire name Acres burned Year of fire
1 Cameron Peak 208,913 2020
2 East Troublesome 193,812 2020
3 Pine Gulch 139,007 2020
4 Lee 138,844 2025
5 Hayman 137,760 2002
6 Spring Creek 108,045 2018
7 High Park 87,284 2012
8 Missionary Ridge 70,285 2002
9 West Fork 58,570 2013
10 416 54,129 2018
11 Papoose 49,628 2013
12 Bridger 25,800 2008
13 Last Chance 45,000 2012
14 Bear Springs 44,662 2011
15 MM 117 42,795 2018
16 Beaver Creek 28,380 2016
17 Bull Draw 36,549 2018
18 Badger Hole* 33,421 2018
19 Grizzly Creek 32,631 2020
20 Logan 32,546 2020

Officials attributed the growth to more accurate airborne infrared imaging after previous flights had been cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions, according to the release. Crews have been conducting repair work in areas that were affected by the efforts to mitigate the fire and have reinforced existing fire lines to ensure the blaze remains contained.

With the updated size at 138,844 acres, the fire has now grown into the fourth largest in state history, surpassing the 2002 Hayman fire, which maxed out at 137,760 acres. Another slight increase could easily make it the third largest, as the 2020 Pine Gulch fire hit a maximum of 139,007 acres.

10 largest wildfires in Colorado history

Despite the growth, the fire remains at a 90% containment, officials said in the release. The number of personnel has decreased from nearly 300 to just over 200 as the New York City Fire Department Incident Management Team assumed command of the Lee fire on Monday.

Crews are also expecting heavy rain over the coming days, as a monsoonal weather pattern has kept rainfall probabilities near 100%, according to the release. In the event of clear skies, stronger thunderstorms are likely to develop in the afternoon, increasing flash flooding potential. 

Monsoon rain should help Colorado wildfires Derby & Lee slow spreading

Over the course of its three-week lifespan, the fire prompted crews to close Colorado Highway 13 between the Western Slope towns of Meeker and Rifle as they worked to solidify the corridor. At one point, the blaze jumped the highway less than half a mile south of Meeker, prompting crews to use emergency direct measures to prevent it from getting to the town.

Those looking for up-to-date information on evacuations and road closures can go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and the Garfield County website.

Michael Braithwaite

Reporter

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Monsoon rain should help Colorado wildfires Derby & Lee slow spreading

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A helicopter delivers water onto the Derby fire in the White River National Forest north of Dotsero, Colorado in Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. Courtesy, National Forest Service Forecasted rain showers in western Colorado throughout this week look to help suppress two wildfires burning in Eagle/Garfield […]

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Lee fire's acres-burned in Colorado downsized, photos emerge from flash flooding on White River

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The Lee fire in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, west of Meeker had its total-acres-burned downsized below 138,000 acres to 137,758 according to Wednesday’s update, making it the fifth largest wildfire in Colorado history, only two acres smaller than the fourth place Hayman fire from 2002. […]
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