Governor Jared Polis has formally requested a federal disaster declaration for two wildfires that burned over 150,000 acres in Rio Blanco County this summer.

The Lee and Elk fires grew rapidly and forced evacuations in and around the town of Meeker after they were started by lightning on Aug. 2. A combined total of more than 1,200 firefighting personnel were assigned to the fires at their peak intensity in mid-August, fueled by extreme drought and critical fire weather conditions.

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In a letter Friday to President Donald Trump and officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Polis requested a presidential “major disaster declaration” and more than $27 million in initial FEMA assistance as Rio Blanco County recovers from the fires.

“Damage from these fires and the subsequent flash flooding puts Colorado families, major energy production, and the local economy at risk,” Polis said in a statement. “This is why Colorado is asking the federal government to continue supporting the state through these recovery efforts. By joining us in partnership, we can help communities in Rio Blanco recover from this disaster as fast as possible.”

The vast majority of the initial FEMA assistance the state is seeking would go towards repairing electricity infrastructure that provides power for natural gas production in the Piceance Basin.

“Both the primary and secondary transmission lines for electricity feeding the oil and gas industry in this area suffered over $24 million in damage from these fires,” Polis wrote to FEMA officials. “The failure to provide immediate and robust federal assistance will result in a significant, prolonged reduction in domestic energy supply.”

Rising levels of greenhouse gases, mostly the result of fossil-fuel combustion, have caused much of the Western Slope to warm by an average of more than 4 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels, significantly increasing wildfire risk. The three largest wildfires in Colorado history all occurred in 2020, and the state’s 20 biggest fires on record have all occurred in the past 20 years. The Lee Fire was briefly estimated to be Colorado’s fourth-largest wildfire ever, though its estimated size was subsequently revised downward to 137,758 acres, and it’s currently ranked fifth.

Monday, all 10 members of Colorado’s congressional delegation signed a letter to Trump in support of Polis’ request.

“Without additional support, residents could face increased electricity costs, oil and gas production could slow, and important habitat and grazing lands could be lost,” says the lawmakers’ letter. “In addition, residents face ongoing hazards from the fire, including debris, burned trees, and threats to water quality and drinking water infrastructure.”

“A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration unlocks a number of federal assistance programs and allows local governments, homeowners, and businesses to be eligible for loans, insurance relief, and other assistance,” their letter adds. “These communities urgently need this relief to rebuild.”