Overnight rain helped slow the spread of the Elk and Lee fires, giving firefighters an advantage as they worked to reinforce containment lines Saturday morning.

The Lee Fire, now at 133,954 acres, is 31% contained. The Elk Fire has burned 14,518 acres and is 93% contained. Both were started by lightning on Aug. 2 and together are being fought by 1,230 personnel using nine aircraft, 27 hand crews, 82 engines and 46 pieces of heavy equipment.

The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office downgraded several evacuation zones Friday from GO (red) to SET (yellow) and from SET to READY (green). In northern Garfield County, the sheriff’s office downgraded Zone 70 on the east side of Colorado Highway 13 from GO to SET. Other Garfield County evacuation zones remain unchanged.

On Friday, crews made progress along the Colorado Highway 13 corridor, where containment has increased. Firefighters also worked near Hogback Ridge, County Road 5 and County Road 3, patrolling and reinforcing lines around homes and other structures. Unmanned aircraft were used to locate isolated hot spots. Vegetation burning slowly inside the fire perimeter helped remove unburned fuels and supported control efforts.

On the Elk Fire, crews focused on pockets of unburned vegetation along the north and west edges to strengthen containment. Suppression repair also continued, with firefighters restoring hand and dozer lines to a more natural condition.

Rainfall ranging from .05 to .1 inches overnight helped moderate fire behavior on both fires. “The increase in moisture and humidity is aiding firefighters,” officials reported Saturday. Crews on the Lee Fire continue to monitor the north side, reinforce lines and clear hazards along Colorado Highway 13. The southern edge remains the most active, with firefighters working to improve containment lines to prevent further spread.

On the Elk Fire, crews are reinforcing containment, mopping up hot spots and coordinating repair plans with landowners and managers. Work is also continuing on contingency lines, intended as backup if conditions shift and push the fire beyond its current perimeter.

Colorado Highway 13 reopened at 11:50 a.m. Saturday, with a reduced speed limit of 50 mph. Stopping along the roadway is prohibited except in emergencies, and all pullouts and rest areas are reserved for fire personnel. Drivers are urged to stay alert and cautious, as firefighters and utility crews remain active along the corridor.

County Road 5 remains closed.

Saturday’s forecast calls for a morning inversion with fog and high humidity, a chance of isolated showers, and highs in the low 80s with west/northwest winds. Conditions are expected to dry into the evening, with a drying trend continuing into midweek before a possible return of monsoonal weather later in the week.

For the latest evacuation and road closure information, visit http://www.COtrip.org or use the COtrip app. Garfield County emergency alerts are available at https://garco911.com/, while Rio Blanco County updates can be found at https://rioblancoalerts.genasys.com/portal/en.