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.

The Lee fire is now the largest burning in the state, after it more than doubled overnight Wednesday from 22,000 to 45,000 acres. Gov. Polis has declared a state of emergency. Multiple agencies are fighting the fire, with nearly 500 firefighters, 14 aircraft and 15 fire engines.