The Lee Fire south of Meeker, the fifth-largest in state history, has covered 137,758 acres and is 86% contained as of Sunday morning, according to an update released by the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1.

In a separate statement released just after 12 p.m. on Sunday, the team announced that a mudslide due to heavy rains and flash flooding over the Lee Fire area has blocked Rio Blanco County Road 5, also known as Piceance Creek Road, according to a statement released on Sunday afternoon by the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team. 

“For public and firefighter safety no one should travel on County Road 5,” wrote the team, who is coordinating with the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office and Rio Blanco County Road & Bridge to reopen the road. 

Aerial resources were used to cool down hot spots near the perimeter of the Lee Fire on Saturday, wrote the team in their Sunday update. Crews will spend Sunday removing the remaining structure protection equipment as patrols continue around the perimeter. 

“Scattered rain showers are expected on Sunday afternoon with the possibility of thunderstorm development,” the team wrote. “A week-long wet pattern will bring rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the fire area, with notable wetting rainfall by the end of the week.” 

Potential daily thunderstorms this week could bring heavy rain, hail, lightning and winds of up to 35 mph, the team added. 

According to the Sunday update, five helicopters, 12 engines, five water tenders, three dozers and a total of 287 personnel are being utilized for fire suppression efforts. 

On Sunday, the Fire Department of the City of New York Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived on the scene to shadow the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team. 

Starting Monday, Aug. 25 at 6 a.m., the FDNY team will take over command of the Lee Fire. 

Resources for the nearby Elk Fire, which reached 100% containment last Sunday, have finished suppression work, and command of the fire will return to the local unit as the FDNY team takes over Lee Fire efforts. The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team team wrote that this will be the final update for the Elk Fire. 

On Friday, the White River National Forest rescinded the public closure placed on Aug. 5 on forest system lands near the Elk Fire, according to a statement released by the U.S. Forest Service. The public is urged to drive cautiously as fire suppression activity continues in the area. 

The White River National Forest remains under Stage 2 fire restrictions, the statement added, meaning campfires are prohibited throughout the forest. 

For the latest Elk and Lee fire updates, visit facebook.com/elkleefire, inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-lee-fire and inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire.

For updates on evacuation zones and road closures in Rio Blanco County, visit facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.

Register for alerts in Garfield County at garco911.com and follow facebook.com/garcosheriff, and facebook.com/GarCo911/.