Aspen Acres

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Aspen Acres Fire ignited on the morning of Monday, June 29, 2026, approximately 20 miles southwest of Pueblo, burning into Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, and Huerfano counties.
Size and Containment: As of July 28, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 101,921 acres and is 64% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Driven initially by severe drought, critically dry fuels, and extreme wind gusts up to 100 mph, the fire grew rapidly to over 23,000 acres on its first day. It is currently the seventh-largest wildfire in Colorado's recorded history.
Containment Efforts: The fire is being managed by the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 6, with over 1,300 personnel previously assigned. Fire activity has been minimal in recent days, allowing crews to strengthen primary and secondary lines along the western perimeter. Firefighters are also utilizing "contour felling"—tactically placing damaged trees horizontally across the landscape—to control runoff and mitigate flash flooding risks.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Over the last 72 hours, most mandatory evacuation orders in Pueblo and Custer counties have been lifted or downgraded to pre-evacuation status. Residents returning to these areas must obtain a re-entry card from the Recovery Assistance Center.
Evacuation Warnings: Many zones in Pueblo and Custer counties remain on pre-evacuation (Set/Ready) status, meaning residents must be prepared to leave again if conditions worsen or flash flooding occurs. In Huerfano County, zones H-1, H-16, and H-17 remain under a Level 2 - Set Evacuation Warning.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: A Recovery Assistance Center is currently operating at Beulah Heights Elementary (2670 Delphinium St., Pueblo) to assist the more than 5,000 residents who were evacuated at the peak of the fire.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Colorado Highway 165 is closed northbound and southbound from Mackenzie Junction (mile point 0) to Mt. Baldy Rd in Rye (mile point 28.9).
• The U.S. Forest Service has closed all National Forest System lands on the San Carlos Ranger District south of CO-96, east and north of CO-69, and west of I-25.
• The Colorado National Guard has been deployed to assist local law enforcement with traffic control points for road closures and evacuated areas.

For more information, visit:

• Pueblo County Emergency Information
• Pueblo County Sheriff's Office
• Colorado Department of Transportation (COtrip)

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no specific fatalities reported in connection with the Aspen Acres Fire at this time.
Structures Impacted: The fire has caused massive devastation, destroying over 850 structures across Pueblo and Custer counties. This includes at least 337 confirmed homes, along with commercial buildings, garages, barns, and sheds. Damage assessment teams are still evaluating the area.
Notable Impacts: The communities of Beulah, Rye, San Isabel, and Wetmore have been heavily impacted. The footprint of the fire is nearly the size of Denver, causing significant emotional and economic tolls on the region.

Safety Concerns:
Flash Flooding: Burn scar flood risk remains highly elevated. Heavy rain can produce flash flooding and debris flows with little warning. Volunteers have filled sandbags for residents in San Isabel and Aspen Acres to protect their properties.
Burn Bans: Pueblo and Custer Counties are under Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibit all outdoor burning and the use of fireworks due to extreme fire danger.
Air and Water Quality: While smoke previously caused poor air quality, current concerns center around water contamination from runoff. Bottled water advisories have been issued for specific local areas, including Pine Drive and Signal Mountain.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment at 64%, crews continue to make steady progress. Fire activity on the main lines has diminished, but the threat is not entirely over. Firefighters have been assigned to initial attack groups to quickly suppress new lightning-caused fires detected near the Aspen Acres perimeter over the last few days.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A shift in the weather pattern has brought rain and thunderstorms to the area. While the moisture aids in fire suppression, it has triggered elevated flash flood warnings for the burn scar areas. Additional lightning is expected throughout the week, keeping crews vigilant for new fire starts.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Aspen Acres Fire is believed to be human-caused and remains under active investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme climate conditions played a massive role in the fire's ignition and explosive initial spread. Severe drought and critically dry fuels, combined with extreme 100 mph wind gusts, made early firefighting efforts nearly impossible. The weather has since shifted to a monsoon-like pattern with thunderstorms, which introduces lightning (causing new fire starts) and heavy rainfall (causing dangerous flash flooding and debris flows).

For more information, visit:

• Pueblo County Emergency Information
• Colorado Department of Transportation (COtrip)
• Watch Duty - Wildfire Tracking