Five active wildfires — the Lee, Elk, Oak, Stoner Mesa and Crosho fires — have charred more than 143,000 acres, or 222 square miles, on the Western Slope in recent days.

The Lee Fire burning in Western Colorado has begun racing south after winds shifted away from the town of Meeker on Friday, prompting officials to declare new evacuation zones.

A Colorado prison was evacuated as one of the largest wildfires in state history continued to grow, with officials warning residents of remote areas to be ready to leave as gusty winds and low humidity feed the flames.