Aspen Acres

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Aspen Acres Fire ignited at approximately 6:00 a.m. on June 29, 2026. The fire originated about 10 miles northwest of Rye, Colorado, and has burned across Custer, Pueblo, and Huerfano counties.
Size and Containment: As of the most recent data over the last 72 hours, the fire has burned approximately 102,004 acres and is currently 72% contained. It is now recorded as the seventh-largest wildfire in Colorado's history.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire experienced explosive initial growth, driven by critically dry fuels, severe regional drought, and extreme 40+ mph winds with gusts estimated up to 100 mph. While the fire's rate of spread has significantly moderated in recent days due to rainfall, smoldering and interior burning continue in heavily timbered areas that are too unsafe for crews to access directly.
Containment Efforts: On the morning of August 7, a Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire. Firefighters have capitalized on recent precipitation to secure additional containment on the western perimeter. The primary focus has now shifted to suppression repair. Heavy equipment operators are actively regrading ditches, chipping, and grinding slash piles. Crews estimate that less than a week of work remains to finish contingency line construction along Forest Road 365.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place.
Evacuation Warnings: As of 7:00 p.m. on August 7, 2026, the pre-evacuation status for Zones C-1, C-2, and FS-5 in Custer County were officially cleared. With this update, all evacuation zones within the Aspen Acres Fire perimeter have been lifted.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: With all evacuation orders and warnings lifted, emergency shelters have been demobilized. Returning residents are advised to remain vigilant and monitor weather conditions.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Colorado State Highways 165 and 78 are now fully open to traffic.
• The surrounding San Isabel National Forest remains closed to the public under Forest Order #02-12-03-26-32.
• Drivers are strictly prohibited from pulling off Highway 165 onto Forest roads to ensure public safety and allow heavy equipment room to conduct suppression repairs.
• Motorists should be prepared for sudden, intermittent road closures. Rainfall on the burn scar can quickly trigger flash floods and debris flows across roadways.

For more information, visit:

• Pueblo County Emergency Information
• Huerfano County Emergency Alerts
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: At least one firefighter injury was reported during the earlier stages of the incident. There have been no reported civilian fatalities.
Structures Impacted: The fire has been highly destructive. Official damage assessments confirm that over 850 structures have been destroyed, including at least 319 homes across Pueblo and Custer counties. Aerial imagery analysis suggests the total number of unique structures lost (including barns, garages, and sheds) may be closer to 780.
School and Business Closures: The fire severely impacted the communities of Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel. The historic Doyle School, listed as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places, was in the immediate vicinity of the fire, though specific structural status updates remain pending. Many local businesses and recreational areas, including campsites at Pueblo Reservoir, were temporarily closed but have recently begun reopening.
Notable Impacts: The emotional and economic toll on the region is immense, with thousands of residents previously displaced. Recovery efforts are now taking priority as the community transitions from emergency response to rebuilding.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: Utilities in the most heavily damaged residential areas remain impacted as infrastructure rebuilding efforts commence.
Water Safety: Flash flooding and debris flows are the most significant ongoing safety concerns. Heavy rain on the burn scar can cause dangerous conditions with little to no warning.
Burn Bans: Local fire restrictions and burn bans remain in effect across Custer, Pueblo, and Huerfano counties due to the ongoing summer fire season.
Air Quality: Smoke will continue to be visible, particularly near the Lake Isabel area, as interior pockets of fuel continue to burn out. Residents with respiratory conditions should monitor local air quality and limit outdoor exposure when smoke settles in the valleys.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Containment currently stands at 72%. Firefighters expect to finish contingency line construction and suppression repairs over the coming week. Indirect firelines and structure protection remain in place for use if needed. Additional rain anticipated next week is expected to further moderate fire behavior along the uncontained edges, which should steadily increase containment percentages.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Hot, dry, and unstable weather is expected to continue through the weekend, bringing cloud buildup and a chance of thunderstorms. A flash flood watch remains a critical concern for areas in and immediately downstream of the burn scar due to the potential for heavy, localized thunderstorm rains.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Aspen Acres Fire is human-caused and remains under active investigation by authorities.
Weather and Climate: The fire's explosive initial growth was heavily influenced by extreme climate conditions, including severe regional drought, historically low fuel moisture levels, and persistent red flag conditions. The initial spread was driven by erratic outflow winds and 100 mph gusts. Currently, the weather is shifting to a monsoonal pattern, bringing much-needed rain to aid firefighters but introducing severe flash flood risks to the newly altered landscape.

For more information, visit:

• InciWeb - Aspen Acres Fire
• Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) Fire Map
• Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Emergency Status Board