Lee fire 5th-largest in state history, burns 113k acres in northwestern Colorado

Fire crews battling two large blazes in northwestern Colorado continue to gain containment on the smaller Elk fire burning east of Meeker, but the Lee fire has boomed to more than 113,000 acres, nearly doubling over the weekend.

Both fires were started by lightning Aug. 2, and Saturday firefighters started to gain initial containment. Work on the Elk fire has reached 30% containment as the fire stays at 14,635 acres, officials reported Monday morning.

But strong winds continue to push the Lee fire , which started about 11 miles southwest of Meeker, to the south and it has scorched 113,378 acres, officials said Monday. It is considered 7% contained. On Thursday, the fire was at 60,000 acres .

Firefighters are trying to keep the Lee fire from jumping Colorado 13 to the east and Rio