Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency Sunday for a wildfire burning in northwest Colorado.

Two new wildfires are burning Sunday on Colorado’s Western Slope, prompting evacuation orders and disaster declarations.

MEEKER, Colo. — Gov. Jared Polis has verbally declared a disaster emergency for a wildfire burning southeast of Meeker in western Colorado. The fire, named the Elk Fire, has burned about 600 acres off Rio Blanco County Road 8 about 11 miles from Meeker, the county sheriff's office said. The fire was first spotted on Saturday afternoon.