Rio Blanco County officials lifted some mandatory evacuation and pre-evacuation orders Friday afternoon for the Elk and Lee fires burning near the Western Slope town of Meeker.

Evacuation Zone 70, located northwest of Rifle, was elevated to “GO” (Red) Evacuate NOW status at about 2 p.m. Saturday due to the advancing Elk and Lee fires, according to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

The Lee Fire burning in Western Colorado has begun racing south after winds shifted away from the town of Meeker on Friday, prompting officials to declare new evacuation zones.