DENVER — President Donald Trump late Saturday denied Colorado’s request for disaster relief funding following the Elk and Lee fires and Western Slope flooding this summer.
The fires in Rio Blanco County began in August, leading Gov. Jared Polis to declare a major disaster. In October, severe flooding struck southwestern Colorado, affecting La Plata and Archuleta counties, prompting a second disaster declaration.
The Lee Fire near Meeker started in August, eventually burning over 137,000 acres and becoming the state’s fifth-largest wildfire before being contained in September.
If approved, those disaster declarations would have unlocked FEMA funding to support ongoing recovery efforts and provide aid to residents and businesses impacted by the three separate events.
The governor’s office said that both the fires and the flooding exceeded the criteria set by FEMA for major presidential disaster declarations, which include minimum amounts of damage and impacts to local infrastructure.
A reason for the president’s denial was not provided.
On Sunday, following the denial late Saturday night, Polis and Democratic members of the state’s congressional delegation called on President Trump to reverse the decision, calling the president’s actions “malicious and obscene.”
“President Trump’s decision to deny Colorado’s request for critical federal assistance is unacceptable,” said Senator Michael Bennet in a statement. “Communities in Western Colorado are in serious need of help after the life-threatening flooding and historic wildfires earlier this year. Trump continues to use Coloradans for political games; it is malicious and obscene. A disaster is a disaster, regardless of what state in the country it took place. Together with Governor Polis and the Colorado delegation, I will take every available step to appeal this decision.”
In his Sunday statement, Polis reiterated that residents impacted by the August fires and the October flooding deserve support rather than political maneuvering.
He said Colorado will be appealing the president’s denial.
“Coloradans impacted by the Elk and Lee fires and the flooding in Southwestern Colorado deserve better than the political games President Trump is playing. One of the most amazing things to witness as Governor has been the resilience of Coloradans following a natural disaster. Their courage, strength, and willingness to help one another is unmatched – values that President Trump seems to have forgotten. I call on the President’s better angels, and urge him to reconsider these requests. This is about the Coloradans who need this support, and we won’t stop fighting for them to get what they deserve. Colorado will be appealing this decision,” said Governor Jared Polis.
According to the Revolving Door Project, President Trump has often turned down or delayed disaster relief requests, most recently from states like Virginia and Maryland.
The rejection follows an administration plan to close the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, a leading federal climate research lab.
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DENVER — The 137,758-acre Lee Fire burning southwest of Meeker is nearing full containment as firefighters make steady progress on the state’s largest wildfire of the season.
A Saturday update reported the fire at 95% containment, an increase of 5 percentage points from the previous week.
The lightning-sparked fire was first reported on Aug. 2 and forced evacuations as it destroyed three homes and 12 outbuildings. No injuries have been reported.
However, some of those evacuations have since been rescinded. For the most up-to-date evacuation map, click here.
Recent weather, including rain showers, has aided firefighting efforts.
Other Western Slope counties have seen similar fires over the past couple of months.
The extreme fire behavior prompted Gov. Jared Polis to sign an executive order declaring a disaster emergency, which will bolster the state’s response to these and any new potential wildfires.
Denver7 is tracking several other wildfires on Colorado’s Western Slope. Below is a summary of those fires, containment amounts and where residents can learn more details.
Size: 5,738 acres Containment: 6% First reported: Aug. 16 Cause: ⚡️ Location: 13 miles north of Dotsero Evacuations 🏠: Mandatory evacuations and pre-evacuation notices can be viewed here.
The lightning-sparked Derby Fire, first reported on Aug. 16, is burning 13 miles north of Dotsero in Eagle and Garfield counties.
In an update Thursday, fire officials said crews continue to strengthen control line along the southeastern side of the fire. Meanwhile, fire officials said smoke may be visible within the fire footprint as the sun rekindles isolated areas of smoldering timber.
On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) temporary closed the following areas: Lands north and west of the town of Gypsum that are north of Sweetwater Road; west of the Colorado River; east of the White River National Forest boundary, and south of Derby Creek.
Also on Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service said the following eras were also temporarily closed: North of Sweetwater Lake, following the Forest boundary north and east to the southwestern edge of the Derby Mesa rim. The Derby Mesa rim generally northwest to Big Spring. The W Mountain Trail (#1817) to its junction with the South W Trail (#2060). The Nellie’s (#1839) and Turret Creek (#1838) trails. And south to Sweetwater Lake.
Size: 10,249 acres Containment: 44% First reported: July 28 Cause: ⚡️ Location: 5 miles west of Rico in the San Juan National Forest Evacuations 🏠: No current evacuations
The lightning-sparked Stoner Mesa Fire, first reported on July 28, is burning west of Telluride inside the San Juan National Forest in Dolores County.
In an update Saturday, the Forest Service said it has reduced its Stoner Mesa Fire Closure area. This is due to decreased fire activity and progress with firefighting efforts.
Firefighters will be patrolling and will mop-up any hot spots deemed a potential threat to the firelines. A spot fire on the northern side of the fire was determined to be completely out, they added.
To sign up for Dolores County emergency alerts, click here. To sign up for Montezuma County emergency alerts, click here.
Blue Ridge Fire Size: 25 acres Containment: 100% First reported: Aug. 15 Cause: Under investigation Location: La Plata County Notes: All evacuation and pre-evacuation orders lifted on Aug. 18.
Crosho Fire Size:2,073 acres Containment:100% First reported:Aug. 11 at 3:25 pm. Cause:Unknown
Deer Creek Fire Size: 17,724 Acres Containment: 100% First reported: July 10 Cause: Under investigation (as of last update on Aug. 12) Location: Eastern Utah and Montrose County (Colorado)
Leroux Fire Size: 195 Acres Containment: 100% First reported: Aug. 3 Cause: ⚡️ Location: Delta County
Oak Fire Size: 75 acres Contained: 78% (as of last update on Aug. 13) First reported: Aug. 10 Cause: Structure fire Location: Archuleta County west of Pagosa Springs Notes: The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said two suspects have been arrested in connection with an illegal burn that started this fire. The suspects have been identified as Sergio Alaniz Jr., 41, and Ross Heirigs, 60. They were arrested on charges of fourth-degree arson.
Peninsula Fire Size: 17 acres Containment: 80% (as of last update on Aug. 10) First reported: Aug. 8 Cause: ⚡️ Location: South of Highway 145, between Norwood and Placerville
South Rim Fire Size: 4,232 Acres Containment: 100% containment likely will not occur until snowfall First reported: July 10 Cause: ⚡️ Location: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Turner Gulch Fire Size:31,699 acres Contained: 96% First reported:July 10 Cause: ⚡️ Location: 8 miles northeast of Gateway in Mesa County Evacuations 🏠: All evacuation orders have been lifted
Wright Draw Fire Size: 466 acres Containment: 100% First reported: July 10 Cause: ⚡️ Location: Mesa County
Windy Gap Fire Size: 30 acres Containment: 100% First reported: Aug. 6 Cause: Unknown Location: Grand County
Yellowjacket Fire Size: 29 acres Contained: 40% (as of last update on Aug. 16) First reported: Aug. 15 Cause: Unknown Location: Northeast of Meeker
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Burnout has become an issue for firefighters on the front lines of Colorado’s wildfires this summer, according to officials.
A new report from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control shows a shortage of resources in departments across the state, forcing current crews to work longer hours.
“We’re going to do everything we can to protect our communities,” DFPC Section Chief Lisa Pine said. “Burnout is a real issue for the firefighters. With not having somebody there to replace them, or, you know, to get more time off, it’s a tough job, and it does take a toll on people when they don’t get enough down time.”
The report found Colorado fire departments need over 2,000 firefighters and more than $25 million in equipment over the next two years to meet current needs.
To fill the gap, Pine said Colorado has brought in crews from other states and federal wildland firefighting teams. She said there is currently around a 50/50 split.
“What we we’re concerned about is if everything in the West, Oregon, Washington, California; if everything was burning at the same time, then yes, we probably would struggle a little bit with some of our resources from out of state,” Pine said. “However, that didn’t happen, luckily, and so what we’ve got is a really strong presence to deal with these fires.”
Firefighters facing burnout as Colorado wildfires continue to grow to historic size to historic size
Pine added there are a similar number of resources now as there were in 2020. However then, there was not as much of a shortage as the historic Pine Gulch Fire became Colorado’s third-largest ever.
Pine said the question moving forward is funding.
More than 80% of Colorado’s wildland firefighting efforts comes from property and sales tax — both of which are lower than where they normally are.
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DENVER — A helicopter assigned to the Derby Fire was involved in an “incident” around 4:10 p.m. Friday, according to the US Forest Service.
The agency said there is an unconfirmed report that the aircraft is in a lake 13 miles northwest of the Eagle County Regional Airport.
The US Forest Service said the helicopter pilot was picked up by another aircraft and flown to Eagle County Regional Airport. The pilot was checked out by emergency medical personnel and had “minor bumps and bruises” but refused further medical attention.
No further details were provided. The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the crash, according to USFS, but it is unclear if it will respond to the incident.
The lightning-sparked Derby Fire burning about 15 miles north of Dotsero in the White River National Forest continued to grow overnight and now stands at 4,112 acres in size with 0% containment. At least one structure has been lost in the Sugarloaf Mountain area due to the fire, officials said.
Mandatory evacuations and pre-evacuation notices for the Derby Fire are still in effect and can be viewed here.
Meanwhile, the Lone Pine Fire, which ignited Thursday west of Red Feather Lakes and south of Deadman Road, was 75% contained by Friday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It has burned 2.5 acres so far. A cause has not been determined.
Denver7 is tracking several other wildfires on Colorado’s Western Slope. Below is a summary of those fires, containment amounts and where residents can learn more details.
Size: 137,758 acres Containment: 80% First reported: Aug. 2 Cause: ⚡️ Location: 18 miles southwest of Meeker Evacuations 🏠: For the most up-to-date evacuation map, click here. Pre-evacuations: For the most up-to-date pre-evacuation map, click here.
The lightning-sparked Lee Fire, first reported on Aug. 2, is burning 18 miles southwest of Meeker in Rio Blanco County.
Three homes and 12 outbuildings have burned so far in the Lee Fire, according to officials in Rio Blanco County, who said firefighters completed chipping operations on the east flank of the fire.
On Friday, aviation and ground crews will continue the work of cooling down a hot spot along the fire’s edge and improving fire lines.
Also on Friday, the Bureau of Land Management rescinded the land closure order for BLM-managed public lands in Garfield County because of the Lee Fire. The rescission is effective immediately because fire and emergency managers have determined the area is safe.
A partial closure of the White River National Forest is still in effect due to the fire within the Blanco Ranger District west of and including the Long-Lost Trail system.
Size: 2,072 acres Containment: 57% First reported: Aug. 11 at 3:25 pm. Cause: Unknown Location: Routt National Forest in Rio Blanco County Evacuations 🏠: No evacuations at this time
The Crosho Fire continues to burn in the Routt National Forest but has seen no growth since the weekend, according to the latest update from fire officials.
Sixty-seven structures continue to be threatened by the fire, according to the Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team, but none have burned as of Friday.
In a Friday update, fire officials said the eastern perimeter of the fire has been contained. Mop-up operations, supported by water, were progressing to the north and west of the fire, where crews were extinguishing pockets of remaining heat.
There are currently no pre-evacuations or evacuation orders for the fire, according to the latest map from the Routt County Office of Emergency Management.
Size: 10,186 acres Containment: 32% First reported: July 28 Cause: ⚡️ Location: 5 miles west of Rico in the San Juan National Forest Evacuations 🏠: No current evacuations
The west side of the Stoner Mesa Fire, near the Stoner Creek drainage, continues to be most active, fire officials said in an update Friday, adding work will continue to improve the fireline and will conduct strategic firing operations, as conditions allow, to remove fuels between the line and the canyon rim.
A community meeting is being planned for Sunday, Aug. 24, in Dolores, but no details about when or where it’ll be have been released yet.
To sign up for Dolores County emergency alerts, click here. To sign up for Montezuma County emergency alerts, click here.
Size: 31,699 acres Contained: 88% First reported: July 10 Cause: ⚡️ Location: 8 miles northeast of Gateway in Mesa County Evacuations 🏠: All evacuation orders have been lifted
In a Friday update, fire officials said suppression repair on area roads was completed Thursday.
Firefighters were also making progress on securing the fireline on the southeast perimeter of the fire, aided by water-handling equipment based out of Big Creek Reservoir.
The Bureau of Land Management has revised its closure area. The same closure area remains in effect for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, fire officials said.
Blue Ridge Fire Size: 25 acres Containment: 100% First reported: Aug. 15 Cause: Under investigation Location: La Plata County Notes: All evacuation and pre-evacuation orders lifted on Aug. 18.
Oak Fire Size: 75 acres Contained: 78% (as of last update on Aug. 13) First reported: Aug. 10 Cause: Structure fire Location: Archuleta County west of Pagosa Springs Notes: The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said two suspects have been arrested in connection with an illegal burn that started this fire. The suspects have been identified as Sergio Alaniz Jr., 41, and Ross Heirigs, 60. They were arrested on charges of fourth-degree arson.
Peninsula Fire Size: 17 acres Containment: 80% (as of last update on Aug. 10) First reported: Aug. 8 Cause: ⚡️ Location: South of Highway 145, between Norwood and Placerville
Yellowjacket Fire Size: 29 acres Contained: 40% (as of last update on Aug. 16) First reported: Aug. 15 Cause: Unknown Location: Northeast of Meeker
Deer Creek Fire Size: 17,724 Acres Containment: 100% First reported: July 10 Cause: Under investigation (as of last update on Aug. 12) Location: Eastern Utah and Montrose County (Colorado)
South Rim Fire Size: 4,232 Acres Containment: N/A (National Park Service says 100% containment likely will not occur until snowfall, but “fire behavior is limited to smoldering and creeping, and poses very little risk of spread outside the current fire footprint.”) First reported: July 10 Cause: ⚡️ Location: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Leroux Fire Size: 195 Acres Containment: 100% First reported: Aug. 3 Cause: ⚡️ Location: Delta County
Wright Draw Fire Size: 466 acres Containment: 100% First reported: July 10 Cause: ⚡️ Location: Mesa County
Windy Gap Fire Size: 30 acres Containment: 100% First reported: Aug. 6 Cause: Unknown Location: Grand County
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