Updated Sunday at 7 p.m.
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office issued pre-evacuation orders for two new areas just north of Rifle as the Lee Fire spreads south.
Due to the fire, Highway 13 north of Rifle is closed at mile marker 4 in both directions except for local residents.
According to the Watch Duty fire monitoring app, the Lee Fire is currently just over 113,378 acres and 7% contained.
Updated Saturday at 3:45 p.m.
Immediate evacuation orders are now in effect for the area north of Rifle next to the Rio County Blanco county line encompassing Zone 70 on evacuation maps issued by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
The orders come as the Lee Fire — currently estimated at 92,000 acres and 0% contained — is moving southwest from Highway 13.
According to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, the best evacuation route is to travel south on County Road 253 (Piceance Creek Road) to Highway 13 and proceed down to Rifle. Local traffic will be let through this closed route.
Livestock can be evacuated to the Parachute Rodeo Grounds. Updates are being shared on the Garfield County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
Updated Saturday at 10 a.m.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office issued new pre-evacuation orders for parts of northern Garfield County on Saturday morning after winds shifted the Lee Fire burning in the Meeker area southwest.
Those pre-evacuation orders apply to residents living in areas west of Highway 13. Current evacuation maps are available online.
The fire, which grew by 30,000 acres on Friday night, has created hazy skies and worsening air quality throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. According to the Watch Duty fire monitoring app, the Air Quality Index near Carbondale on Saturday morning was rated 159.
At that level, the American Lung Association advises children and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, to avoid strenuous outdoor activity. The guidelines also recommend everyone else to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.