DENVER - Today, Governor Polis signed two Executive Orders to memorialize previous verbal disaster declarations for the Elk and Lee Fires in Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties, and the Leroux Fire in Delta County.
The first Executive Order memorializes the Governor’s verbal disaster declaration from August 3, 2025 for the Elk Fire, which was expanded on August 5, 2025 to include the Lee Fire, given that they began from the same weather conditions and shared firefighting resources.
This Executive Order also memorializes the Governor’s verbal authorization on August 6, 2025 to employ unarmed members of the Colorado National Guard to support fire suppression efforts. As of August 17, the Elk Fire was 100% contained and had burned 14,518 acres.
As of August 27, the Lee Fire was 90% contained and had burned 137,758 acres, making it the fifth largest fire in Colorado history.
The second Executive Order memorializes the Governor’s verbal disaster declaration from August 4, 2025 for the Leroux Fire in Delta County. As of August 18, the Leroux Fire burned 195 acres and was 100% contained.
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