• A Colorado prison evacuated over concerns of the growing Lee Fire.
• The Lee Fire has burned over 113,000 acres with only 7% containment.
• All incarcerated individuals were safely relocated to a distant facility.
• Evacuation orders are in place for multiple mountain communities.
• Firefighters are battling challenging conditions due to drought and weather.

A Colorado prison was evacuated as one of the largest wildfires in state history, known as the Lee Fire, continues to blaze. This fire has charred over 167 square miles (433 square kilometers) across Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, with only 6% containment as of this weekend. Local authorities warned residents in affected areas to be prepared to evacuate as weather conditions, including gusty winds and low humidity, exacerbate the situation. Thankfully, no injuries or structural damage have been reported so far, according to trtglobal, Newsweek, and HuffPost.

On Saturday night, authorities evacuated all 179 incarcerated individuals from the Rifle Correctional Center to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex, located about 150 miles (240 kilometers) away. This precautionary measure was taken "out of an abundance of caution" to ensure the safety of all individuals involved, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections. The Lee Fire has now become the sixth-largest single fire in Colorado’s history, as reported by HuffPost and Newsweek.

With more than a thousand firefighters battling the blaze, the current situation remains critical. They are working to contain the flames to the west of Colorado 13 and north of County Road 5. Firefighting efforts have been hampered by ongoing drought conditions, with officials noting that "significant drought-stressed fuels" are exacerbating the fire's spread. The Elk Fire, which is burning just east of the Lee Fire, has also contributed to the air quality warnings in the region, according to trtglobal, Newsweek, and HuffPost.

Residents across eleven evacuation zones in Rio Blanco and Garfield counties have been advised to remain vigilant as the situation develops. Fire officials are preparing strategic plans to respond to potential shifts in the fire's movement and advise locals to stay updated on evacuation notices. As the dry conditions persist and fire crews contend with the challenging environment, their priority remains the safety of the communities and mitigating the fire's spread, as highlighted by HuffPost, Newsweek, and trtglobal.