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.

People living in Meeker are thanking fire crews as two wildfires continue to burn. Both are burning about 15 miles apart in Rio Blanco County. That's about five hours northwest of Colorado Springs.