The Elk and Lee fires in Rio Blanco county surpassed 103,000 combined acres as of Saturday morning, prompting additional evacuation orders, according to the Aug. 9 update from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management team.

Evacuation Zone 70, located northwest of Rifle, was elevated to “GO” (Red) Evacuate NOW status at about 2 p.m. Saturday due to the advancing Elk and Lee fires, according to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

RIO BLANCO COUNTY, Colo. — The Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office has issued a mandatory evacuation due to the Lee Fire. Zone 63 on the south side of the fire is now under a "GO" status, meaning residents should evacuate immediately. As of Wednesday afternoon, areas south and west of Meeker are also under evacuation orders due to the Lee Fire.