The start of the new school year for Garfield Re-2 students is on hold until Wednesday after wildfires burning near Meeker disrupted communications and clouded the air with smoke.
Schools Stay Shut for Safety
Monday should have been full of first-day energy — kids meeting new teachers, buses on their morning routes, and the usual scramble for packed lunches. Instead, campuses stayed quiet.
District officials canceled both classes and athletic practices for Monday and Tuesday, citing two main concerns: poor air quality and interruptions to school communications caused by the Elk and Lee fires.
“We’re not going to put students or staff in a situation that could be unsafe,” a district statement explained. Parents have been promised another update by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Smoke and Technology Take a Hit
It’s not just the visible smoke that’s a problem. Officials say that wildfire activity has affected communication lines with some schools in the district. That’s made it harder to coordinate transportation, confirm safety protocols, and stay in touch with staff.
The Lee Fire, burning more than 116,000 acres in Rio Blanco County, has already been sending plumes of smoke toward towns along the I-70 corridor. The Elk Fire, though smaller, is adding to the haze and the uncertainty.
For children with asthma or other respiratory issues, the air conditions could be especially harmful. And for schools, even a minor disruption to communication systems can cause major headaches during the first week of term.
A Hard Call, But a Necessary One
No superintendent likes to push back the first day. It affects family schedules, teacher plans, and even meal service. But this decision, district leaders say, was unavoidable.
One staff member put it bluntly: “If we can’t guarantee safe breathing conditions and reliable communication, then we can’t guarantee a safe school day.”
While fires in western Colorado aren’t unusual, the timing this year is particularly disruptive — both the Elk and Lee fires intensified just as schools were preparing to reopen after summer break.
Families in Wait-and-See Mode
The delay means parents and guardians are left adjusting work schedules, finding last-minute childcare, and helping restless kids handle the extra days at home.
Some parents say they appreciate the caution, even if it’s inconvenient. “I’d rather have them wait than send the kids into smoky classrooms,” said one parent from Rifle. Others are more anxious about whether more delays are coming.
District leaders are keeping their options open, noting that fire conditions can change quickly with shifts in wind direction and weather patterns.
What We Know About the Fires
Both the Elk and Lee fires are being closely monitored by firefighting teams from across the state. The Lee Fire alone has more than 1,200 personnel working in shifts to keep it from spreading toward populated areas.
Current status as of Monday evening:
| Fire Name | Acres Burned | Containment | Main Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Fire | 116,859 | 6% | Heavy smoke, changing winds |
| Elk Fire | Data pending | N/A | Air quality, local visibility |
The combination of fires has made air quality unpredictable. One day might bring a clear morning, only for a shift in winds to carry thick smoke into town by the afternoon.
Looking Ahead to Wednesday
If all goes as planned, students will walk into their classrooms Wednesday morning ready to begin the 2025–26 school year. District staff will spend the extra days checking communication systems, reviewing safety protocols, and monitoring the latest fire reports.
Parents will get confirmation by Tuesday evening — and the district isn’t ruling out more changes if conditions deteriorate.
For now, the focus is on keeping the community informed and prepared, even if it means the school year starts with an unexpected pause.
