Elk Fire

Elk Fire
Part of the 2025 Colorado wildfires
Smoke from the Elk Fire, Lee Fire and Grease Fire as seen on August 3, 2025
Date(s)August 2, 2025 (2025-08-02) – August 19, 2025 (2025-08-19)
LocationMeeker, Colorado & Buford, Colorado
Coordinates39°59′09″N 107°41′37″W / 39.98583°N 107.69361°W / 39.98583; -107.69361
Statistics
Perimeter100% contained
Burned area14,518 acres (5,875 ha)
Impacts
Ignition
CauseLightning
Map
Location in northwest Colorado

The Elk Fire was a wildfire burning near the town of Meeker, Colorado and the community of Buford, Colorado that began on August 2, 2025. As of August 12, the fire burned 14,549 acres (5,888 ha) and is 100% contained.[1]

The fire has destroyed at least 2 homes.[2]

Events

August

The Elk Fire was first reported on August 2, 2025, at around 12:30 pm MST.[3][2]

On August 5, 2025, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a state of emergency for four wildfires burning in western Colorado, including the Elk Fire.[4]

On August 16, 2025, the fire was reported as fully contained. It burned 14,518 acres. [5]

Cause

The cause of the fire is believed to be due to lightning.[6]

Impact

Closures and evacuations

See also

References

  1. ^ "Elk RBX Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.wildfire.gov. August 6, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Grewe, Lindsey (August 3, 2025). "At least 2 homes destroyed as 3 wildfires rage on in northwest Colorado county". KKTV. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  3. ^ "Elk RBX Fire - Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  4. ^ Wendland ·, Tegan (August 5, 2025). "Gov. Polis declares state of disaster for Western Slope wildfires, Lee and Grease fires merge overnight". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  5. ^ Sun, The Colorado (August 17, 2025). "Elk fire fully contained east of Meeker as crews make more progress on nearby Lee fire". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  6. ^ Prentzel, Olivia (August 4, 2025). "Wildfire burning near Meeker destroys 3 buildings, explodes to 3,000 acres". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved August 6, 2025.