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

By August 27, 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 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.

FDNY Incident Management Team said the reported acreage on the Lee fire needed adjustment back to the original size noted earlier in the week due to improved mapping.

“The earlier increase was due to limitations in the previous data, which temporarily raised the estimate, but with updated mapping complete, the acreage now accurately reflects the true fire size,” FDNY officials said.

Containment of the fire stayed at 90% Wednesday as 211 total personnel work the blaze with 10 engines, two hand crews, two water tenders and two dozers.

Lee fire August 27 2025 update map

The Lee fire’s acres-burned map in Rio Blanco County, Colorado southwest of Meeker as of Wednesday, August 27, 2025.



Courtesy, FDNY Incident Team


On Wednesday, crews patrolled and secured the fire perimeter while completing suppression repair in coordination with Resource Advisors and local agencies, guided by the approved Suppression Repair Plan, FDNY officials said.

The fire remained fully within its current footprint, and crews continued working both to strengthen containment and to begin repair in areas affected by suppression activities.

FDNY officials said fire activity was minimal on Tuesday, and work will continue in the coming days to ensure the area remains secure and repair objectives are met.

More rain is forecast to fall within the fire boundary and in western Colorado over the next few days, helping to alleviate pressure on firefighters working the fire.

Lee fire flooding in Rio Blanco County

Flash flooding along the White River approximately 10 miles west of Meeker, Colorado, as taken from Regas Halandras, shows what heavy rains can do to downstream areas from run off from burn scarred areas around the Lee fire, which is burning southwest of Meeker.



Courtesy, Regas K. Halandras


However, flash flooding accounts reported to The Denver Gazette via email from Meeker resident Regas Halandras on Wednesday show damage to some farming and ranching areas along the White River approximately 10 miles west of Meeker along Colorado Highway 64.

“Yes, we want rain,” Halandras said. “(But) it has come and with it has come flash flooding throughout the areas of the two fires.”

Lee fire flooding in Rio Blanco County

An ATV covered in mud in a flooded area of the White River approximately 10 miles west of Meeker, Colorado, as photographed by Regas Halandras, became wreckage from flooding caused by rain run off from the burn scars of the nearby Lee fire in Rio Blanco County.



Courtesy photo, Regas K. Halandras


According to Halandras, flash flooding occurred along the White River from the Lee fire, with flooding temporarily closing Rio Blanco County Rd 5 due to run off from the burn scar.

Flooding issues have also been seen along Rio Blanco County Road 8 from the Elk fire, which was fully contained earlier last week.

Halandras said the flood waters run down the tributaries upstream from the White River, bringing debris and scouring land outside the river’s banks.

Lee fire flooding in Rio Blanco County

Cows stand in a flooded plain near the White River approximately 10 miles west of Meeker, Colorado, as taken by Regas Halandras. Heavy rains have flooded parts of the White River valley west of town from run off from burn scarred areas around the Lee fire, which is burning southwest of Meeker.



Courtesy photo, Regas K. Halandras


The National Weather Service in Grand Junction forecasts showers and thunderstorms to likely remain across the fire area over the next several days, with rainfall chances near 100%.

Overnight and into Wednesday morning, widespread cloud cover with embedded showers was expected, however, if skies clear by midday, stronger thunderstorms could develop, increasing the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding.

If cloud cover lingers, conditions will likely remain limited to lighter, intermittent rain with little lightning or strong winds.

For updated information, visit the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.

(Contact Denver Gazette Digital Strategist Jonathan Ingraham at jonathan.ingraham@denvergazette.com or on X at @Skingraham.)

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