DENVER (KDVR) 179 individuals in custody at Rifle Correctional Center are being evacuated due to the Lee Fire in Rio Blanco County, Colorado.
The Colorado Department of Corrections said on Saturday in a press release that the agency is transferring individuals within the correctional center in Garfield County to “other secure facilities outside of the fire-affected area.”
This comes after evacuation notices were implemented for Zone 70 on Saturday in Garfield County, said the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post.
Two wildfires, the Lee and Elk Fires, have burned more than 100,000 acres in Rio Blanco County as of Saturday.
The Lee Fire, as of 5:00 p.m., has burned 88,755 acres and the Elk Fire has burned 14,502 acres. Around 5:10 p.m., it was reported on InciWeb that the Elk Fire was 8% contained.
The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that as of 10:30 a.m., the Lee Fire was 0% contained.
“Rifle Correctional Center staff have implemented the facility’s emergency evacuation plan, ensuring the safe transfer of residents with enhanced security and strong coordination among partner agencies,” said CDOC.
The coordination is said by CDOC to be with state and local emergency management officials. CDOC also said that there are no reports of injuries to staff or individuals within the correctional center and that it is monitoring conditions of the Lee fire.
The agency also noted that they will take any required steps to “protect staff, incarcerated individuals and the surrounding community.”
There is no word on where those evacuated from Rifle Correctional Center will be relocated, but CDOC said it will provide updates “when it is appropriate to do so.”
