Homes and other structures were lost over the weekend as thunderstorms have sparked multiple wildfires in Colorado’s Rio Blanco County and surrounding region. Reports of smoke started coming into the Rio Blanco County Communications Center on Saturday. The lightning-caused Elk Fire is burning approximately 11 miles east of Meeker in pinyon juniper and oak brush and was reported on August 2nd at about 12:30pm. Air and ground crews are working hard on suppression efforts and the public is urged to stay out of the area for their own safety and to avoid interfering with operations. Two houses and one outbuilding have been lost in the Elk Fire and other structures remain threatened. An evacuation order was put in effect for County Road 8 from Mile Marker 11 to Mile Marker 16, impacting both sid

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