MEEKER, Colo. — Firefighters are making progress on the Elk Fire near Meeker, which has burned over 14,000 acres and is 75% contained as of Wednesday evening.

Two homes and two outbuildings have been destroyed in the fire, according to officials in Rio Blanco County. One of those homes belonged to 87-year-old Bob Kydd.

"Bob is a character," Rachel Wix said of Kydd. "You could kind of imagine someone out of like a children's book."

Rachel and her husband, Ryan Wix, are family friends of Kydd. Ryan grew up on a neighboring property.

"He is really sharp. He's a brilliant guy," Ryan told Denver7. "He's got a lot of years of wisdom to share." Bob Kydd's Meeker home was lost in the Elk Fire.

The Elk Fire was sparked by lightning on August 2. Kydd's close friends told Denver7 that his home

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