RIO BLANCO COUNTY, Colo. — The Lee Fire burning in Rio Blanco County became the fourth-largest blaze in Colorado history Monday, a little more than three weeks after igniting southwest of Meeker.

As of Monday, the fire has burned 138,844 acres and is 90% contained.

Previously known as the Lee and Grease Fire, the blaze has surpassed the 416 Fire (2018), the West Fork Fire (2013), the Missionary Ridge Fire (2002), and the High Park Fire (2012) in size after scorching more than 100,000 acres of land in just eight days, according to fire officials.

Severe drought conditions combined with several days of red flag warnings along Colorado’s Western Slope, some of which persist for a swath of western Colorado, contributed to its rapid spread, fire officials added.

Discovered on Aug. 2 foll

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