Emergency crews reopened Colorado Highway 13 south of Meeker Saturday morning after they established containment of nearly one third of the Lee fire.

Started over two weeks ago, the Lee fire ballooned from a 700-acre fire to one that’s nearing 134,000 in Rio Blanco County, according to a Saturday morning post on the Elk and Lee Fire Information Facebook page. The fire’s current 31% containment is easily the highest amount crews have reached, a sign that officials’ confidence about the state of their response earlier in the week was not misplaced.

Officials optimistic as Lee fire surpasses 121,000 acres

Now the fifth-largest wildfire in state history, the Lee fire prompted crews to close Colorado Highway 13 between the Western Slope towns of Meeker and Rifle until Saturday morning as they worked to solidify the corridor. At one point, the fire 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.

Lee fire claims 5th-largest wildfire spot in Colorado history, Elk fire containment increases

Saturday’s reopening of the highway was aided by overnight rain that helped moderate fire behavior as well as increase moisture and humidity, according to the post. Isolated showers remain in the forecast on Saturday, with temperatures in the low 80s. Monsoonal conditions may return later in the week.

Crews responding to two other fires in Rio Blanco County — the Elk fire and the Cosho fire — also saw improvements in their mitigation on Friday.

The Elk fire remained at 93% containment as crews strengthened existing lines and added secondary ones to limit the fire’s ability to break containment in the event of extreme weather, according to the post. The number of total personnel working on the Elk and Lee fires decreased to 1,230 on Saturday.

The Cosho fire saw an acreage decrease to below 2,000 in the northeast corner of the county, according to Watch Duty. No other evacuation orders have been issued after Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for the fire earlier in the week.

Gov. Polis declares disaster emergency for new Colorado wildfire, as others grow

Officials have created a fire information Facebook page where they will be posting updates about the Elk and Lee fires. Those looking for up-to-date information on evacuation notices and road closures should go to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, or sign up for emergency alerts at this link.

There will be a community meeting for the Elk and Lee fires at 7 p.m. Saturday at Meeker High School, 550 School Street in Meeker.