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 Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office announced during the day that they have downgraded the evacuation status for Meeker. It had been on the "set" level (be prepared to leave), but now it is in the less urgent "ready" level. Also, some people who were on evacuation orders around Meeker have been allowed back into their homes.

The Town of Meeker remains under pre-evacuation status as the Lee Fire, the state's largest, continues to pose a challenge for firefighters who are working around the clock amid hot, dry conditions that are expected to last through at least Friday night.