Aspen Acres

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Aspen Acres Fire ignited on the morning of Monday, June 29, 2026, near Aspen Acres in Custer County, Colorado, and quickly spread into neighboring Pueblo County.
Size and Containment: As of Friday afternoon, July 3, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 74,265 acres (over 105 square miles) and remains 0% contained. It is currently estimated to be the eighth-largest wildfire in Colorado history.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has exhibited explosive growth driven by exceptionally dry timber, overgrown grass, and record-low fuel moisture levels. Overnight on Thursday and into Friday morning, the fire experienced extreme behavior, growing over 11,000 acres. Pushed by strong overnight winds, the fire made an eight-mile run to the south, a four-to-five-mile run to the north, and grew one mile to the west.
Containment Efforts: Over 350 personnel are actively working the fire. Command has transitioned to the federal Alaska Complex Incident Management Team to bring additional personnel and wildfire expertise. Firefighters are being supported by air tankers and Super Scooper planes drawing water from the Pueblo Reservoir. Approximately 50 Colorado National Guard soldiers have been deployed to assist with road checkpoints and water operations. Additionally, a federal fire management assistance grant has been secured to cover 75% of the state's eligible firefighting costs, alongside state emergency funds.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Extensive mandatory evacuations are in place across Pueblo and Custer counties. This includes all of Colorado City (an unincorporated community of about 2,200 residents), the towns of Beulah, Rye, San Isabel, and Wetmore. Additional evacuated areas include west Hatchett Ranch, Burnt Mill Road (to I-25), 12 Mile Road, Lazy Acres, Three R Road to Crow Cutoff, Waterbarrel Road, the North Creek area, Bishops Castle, and areas south of Highway 96.
Evacuation Warnings: Pre-evacuation notices are in effect for southern Fremont County, portions of Huerfano County, and Red Creek at the Custer/Pueblo County Line at County Rd. 387.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: A Disaster Assistance Center has opened at the Pueblo Academy of Arts (formerly Pitts Middle School), located at 29 Lehigh, for evacuees. The Pueblo CART Livestock Division is assisting with animal rescue and coordination.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• National Guard troops are staffing checkpoints on various local roads across Custer and Pueblo counties.
• The main access bridge across Highway 165, just north of the Aspen Acres campground, has been destroyed by the fire.
• Travelers on Interstate 25 should exercise extreme caution, as heavy smoke has dropped visibility to as low as half a mile near Mile Marker 74.

For more information, visit:

• Pueblo County Sheriff's Office
• Custer County Sheriff's Office
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: One firefighter was reported injured while battling the blaze earlier in the week. No other injuries or fatalities have been reported at this time.
Structures Impacted: The wildfire has destroyed more than 180 structures, including at least 55 homes across Pueblo and Custer counties. Officials expect this number to rise as damage assessment teams safely enter the affected neighborhoods.
School and Business Closures: Local businesses within the evacuation zones are closed, and thousands of residents have been displaced.
Notable Impacts: The complete evacuation of Colorado City has displaced its entire population of roughly 2,200 residents. The destruction of the Highway 165 bridge has severed a key access route in the area.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: While specific grid outages are fluid, infrastructure in the burn scar has been heavily impacted. Residents in adjacent areas should prepare for potential preventative shutoffs.
Water Safety: Boaters and recreationists at the Pueblo Reservoir are urged to stay clear of water-scooping operations conducted by Super Scooper aircraft.
Burn Bans: Critical fire weather conditions mean strict fire restrictions and burn bans are in effect across the region.
Air Quality: Heavy smoke is severely impacting air quality and visibility, particularly along the I-25 corridor. Residents are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers if possible.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire remains 0% contained. Firefighters anticipate long days ahead, with their primary focus currently on point protection for homes and infrastructure. Bulldozers are working the southeast perimeter to find options to build containment lines, but efforts remain heavily dependent on weather conditions.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Wildfire conditions remain critical. Temperatures are expected to rise to near 100 degrees over the holiday weekend, and humidity levels are forecasted to drop into the single digits (as low as 3%). Strong, erratic winds are expected to continue, which could lead to long-range spotting where embers ignite new fires well ahead of the main fire front.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: Fire officials have stated that the Aspen Acres Fire is human-caused. The specific circumstances surrounding the ignition remain under active investigation.
Weather and Climate: The explosive behavior of this blaze is heavily driven by extreme fire weather and climate conditions. Colorado is experiencing exceptional drought, a fast snowpack melt-off, and a record lack of snow this past winter in parts of the region. The combination of drought-stressed live trees, dead brush, 100-degree heat, single-digit humidity, and erratic winds has created a highly volatile environment, severely exacerbating the fire's rapid spread and intensity.

For more information, visit:

• InciWeb - National Wildfire Coordinating Group
• Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Watch Duty Wildfire Map