UPDATE: Just after 5 p.m. Friday, a new Evacuation zone was created – 64 has been separated and created a new zone 65. Zone 65 is to the west of Highway 13. Zone 65 has moved to GO (Red) Evacuate NOW. Zone 62 and 64 have been elevated to SET (Yellow)

Confirm your location and evacuation zone using the map here: https://tinyurl.com/nxmx65hj

At 12:23 p.m. on Friday, the town of Meeker’s evacuation order was downgraded to “Ready” orders. Zone 2 was also downgraded to “Ready” orders.

“Go” zones 1, 8, 21, 40, and 54 were downgraded to “Set,” allowing residents and local property owners to return to their homes with an official access credential. Credentials can be obtained at the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office, 355 4th Street, and are required to pass roadblocks.

The Elk and Lee fires in Rio Blanco County spread to over 75,000 acres combined and remained zero percent contained as of Friday morning, according to a news release from the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.

The Lee Fire, west of Meeker, spread to over 60,000 acres as of Friday morning — about 15,000 acres more than Thursday morning. The Elk Fire, east of Meeker, spread only about 100 acres between Thursday and Friday mornings, totaling over 14,300 acres.

Residents and visitors in Rio Blanco County should be prepared to follow the “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation model and know their zone, officials said. To view updated evacuation orders, visit TinyUrl.com/559c4j32 or the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

Evacuation shelters have been established at the Moffat County High School in Craig, 900 Finley Lane, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rangely, 125 Eagle Crest St., according to an emergency alert from the county.

As of Friday morning, Meeker and the area south of town were in “Set” pre-evacuation status, indicating a high probability of an imminent evacuation order. Zone 40, just west of Meeker, was issued a full “Go” evacuation order Wednesday afternoon.

At about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, zones 50, 51 and 54 were also issued “Go” evacuation orders.

As of Friday morning, Zones 2, 9, 52, 55, 30, 33 and 34 remained in “Set” orders. Zones 42 and 43, east of Meeker, also remained in “Ready” orders.

The Walbridge Wing of the Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker began evacuations around 4 p.m. Wednesday as a “precautionary measure,” the hospital said in a statement. Patients were taken to the Grand River Care Center in Rifle.

The Emergency Department of the Pioneers Medical Center and Meeker Drug remained open as of Thursday afternoon.

A Red Flag Warning was issued for much of western Colorado, including Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties until 8 p.m. Friday.

An Air Quality Health Advisory was also issued for Friday morning, extending through 9 a.m. Saturday.

Officials expect Red Flag Warnings to extend through at least Saturday, with dry, hot and windy conditions peaking Friday. Primary winds will reach 15-25 mph with gusts of 45 mph Friday.

The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service issued Stage 2 fire restrictions for Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. The fire restrictions ban all campfires and the use of charcoal grills, as well as smoking outdoors. To view restriction details, visit TinyUrl.com/knd9h243.

On Thursday, the Lee Fire spread up the Colorado Highway 64 corridor, forcing the closure of the highway. Fire crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading across the highway.

Hotshot crews also made “good progress” on protecting the Hogback area, states the Friday morning news release.

The Lee Fire continued to spread south throughout Thursday, pushing against the wind.

The Elk Fire spread by about 100 acres on Thursday, with increased fire activity on the northwest edge. Firefighters strengthened the western and southern lines of the Elk Fire and continued structure protection prep.

As of Friday morning, 11 aircraft, 46 engines, 21 hand crews and 11 pieces of heavy equipment were on the scene of the two fires. The National Guard mobilized two Chinook helicopters to assist in fire suppression on Friday.

According to the Friday morning news release, crews will work on strategic fire operations on the northwest side of the Lee Fire to continue to protect the Colo. 64 corridor, as well as strengthen lines on the southern and eastern sides of the fire to prepare for shifting winds and extreme weather.

Crews will continue structure protection on the Elk Fire throughout Friday as the potential for high fire activity on the interior of the fire grows due to weather conditions.

Firefighters are taking advantage of low fire activity during the night and mornings to strengthen lines and make progress towards containment.

In addition to the road closures and evacuations, Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area, Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area, Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area and Piceance State Wildlife Area are closed until further notice, according to a Tuesday evening Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release.

Gates at the properties will remain open to aid firefighting efforts. CPW is asking the public to respect the closures in place despite the open gates.

The White River National Forest has also issued a public forest closure for firefighter and public safety in the area of the Elk Fire in Rio Blanco County, according to a Tuesday U.S. Forest Service news release.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife also temporarily closed its Meeker area office on Thursday due to the fires.