The Lee fire in Rio Blanco County continued to grow overnight Thursday and into Friday, now charring more than 60,000 acres west of the town of Meeker.

Red flag conditions will continue Friday and last through at least Saturday, fire officials said.

“Extreme fire behavior is expected to continue, especially in the afternoon, potentially causing large fire growth,” fire crews said in a Friday morning update .

Gov. Jared Polis mobilized the Colorado National Guard late Wednesday as extremely dry conditions and wind fueled growth on both the Lee fire and Elk fire, which is burning 14,236 acres on the other side of Meeker.

Two National Guard helicopters with support personnel are joining the action on the Lee and Elk fires Friday morning, officials said.

Polis verbally issued a disaste

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