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Aspen Acres Fire

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Aspen Acres Fire
Part of the 2026 Colorado wildfires
A time lapse of the fire from its ignition on June 29 to noon on July 4
Date
  • June 29, 2026 – ongoing
LocationCuster County and Pueblo County, Colorado, U.S.
Coordinates38°00′36″N 105°04′16″W / 38.01°N 105.071°W / 38.01; -105.071
Statistics
StatusOngoing wildfire
Perimeter61% contained
Burned area100,221 acres (40,558 ha; 406 km2; 157 sq mi)
Impacts
Evacuated4,000[1]
Structures destroyed850 [2]
Ignition
CauseHuman, under investigation[3]
Map
Map
Perimeter map of Aspen Acres Fire (map data)

Map of the aspen acres fire
Aspen Acres Fire is located in Colorado
Aspen Acres Fire
Location within Colorado

The Aspen Acres Fire is a large, ongoing, and destructive wildfire in Custer, Pueblo, and Huerfano counties in southern Colorado, approximately 20 miles southwest of Pueblo. As of July 18, 2026, it has burned 100,244 acres (40,567 ha) and is 61% contained.[4] It is the eighth largest wildfire in the state's history and has damaged or destroyed over 850 structures including 319 homes.[5]

It is also currently the largest wildfire burning in Colorado and is the top priority in terms of resources by the U.S.[6]

Background

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In late June 2026, much of southern and central Colorado was experiencing severe drought and high winds, leading to red flag conditions.[7]

Progression

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The fire was first reported on June 29, 2026, and grew to over 23,000 acres (9,300 ha) the same day several miles to the east driven by the high winds.[8] Mandatory evacuations were widespread in and around the town of Beulah as a result. The fire mostly burnt the outskirts of the town but still caused significant damage.[9][10]

On July 2, more high winds caused the fire to grow heavily to the north and extend south where the head of the fire jumped several roadways and threatened Colorado City. The western side of town was told to evacuate to the east away from the approaching fire. Evacuations continued overnight until around 12:00 a.m., when the entire city was told to evacuate.[11]

By July 3, it was the top firefighting priority in the state and entire nation.[12] The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued grants to cover up to 75 percent of firefighting costs as the fire surpassed 66,000 acres, with continued zero percent containment.[13][14] An Alaska incident management team assumed command of the fire as it was declared the state's ninth largest.[15]

On July 4, the fire had grown to over 87,000 acres with over 212 structures confirmed destroyed as it continued moving at a more moderate pace to the north and west, running up saint Charles Peak. The Alaska incident management team confirmed that the fire was at 6% containment as of 6:45 p.m. MDT.[16]

The fire had surpassed 90,000 acres on July 5, nearly the same size as the Cottonwood Fire burning in Utah. Erratic outflow winds from thunderstorms had continued pushing the blaze north into Custer County and the Wetmore area as well as Greenwood. Over 1,300 personnel were fighting the fire and protecting structures.[17] Evacuations were also extended significantly into southern Fremont County not too far from Cañon City. Containment had also decreased 2% overnight.[18]

Rain fell on most of the fire perimeter by July 8 as it surpassed 96,000 acres along with increasing containment. The most significant amounts of rain fell on the northern and southern edges, where fire activity was moderated and firefighters were switching to offensive tactics. This however brought risks with mudslides and flash floods for them as they continued operations.[19][20]

As the fire surpassed 100,000 acres, efforts shifted from response to recovery. Containment had increased to 61% by July 18.[21][22] Active to moderate fire behavior however continued on the western side of the fire perimeter, primarily where the slope and winds aligned. A flash flood watch was also issued in the immediate proximity of the burn scar due to thunderstorm rains.[23][24]

Evacuations

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The fire has forced at least 4,000 people to evacuate from numerous towns, including Williamsburg, Coal Creek and Rockvale.[1][25] Pre-evacuations were issued for residents on national forest land and major highways and in multiple counties.

Effects

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The fire has destroyed over 850 structures as of the last update,[26][5] as crews had estimated 212 in the days prior to a full damage assessment.[16] at first. In addition, the fire has affected three water treatment plants[7] and sections of state highways 165, 78, 67, and 96 have been closed.[8] The fire also caused smoke and air quality concerns for parts of the state, and a temporary flight restriction is in place above its perimeter.[3]

Damage assessments are however still ongoing regarding the effects the fire had on Beulah, given more favorable weather conditions.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Governor Polis at Aspen Acres Fire Incident Command Post in Pueblo County". governorsoffice.colorado.gov. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Aspen Acres Fire destroys 850 structures". July 10, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Livingston, Jake (July 5, 2026). "Aspen Acres Fire Update 07-05-2026". inciweb.wildfire.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  4. ↑ Benzel, Lance (July 18, 2026). "Aspen Acres fire surpasses 100,000 acres as crews increase containment to more than 60%". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Latest damage assessment of Aspen Acres fire lowers total homes destroyed, containment hits 61%". The Gazette. July 17, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Aspen Acres fire races across 17 square miles overnight, now 8th largest in Colorado history". The Denver Post. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Prentzel, Olivia (July 2, 2026). "Colorado's wildfires scorch 129,000 acres as critical fire danger persists". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Svaldi, Aldo (June 29, 2026). "Aspen Acres fire southwest of Pueblo explodes to 23,000 acres in size". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Years of wildfire risk left some Beulah residents uninsured before the fire burned their homes". July 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ Hillstrom, Zach. "Horseshoe Lodge at Beulah Mountain Park destroyed in Aspen Acres Fire". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Mandatory evacuations ordered for Colorado City as Aspen Acres Fire continues to grow - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  12. ↑ McRae, Jennifer (June 29, 2026). "Mandatory evacuations ordered for Colorado City as Aspen Acres Fire continues to grow". CBS Colorado. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  13. ↑ "FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Colorado's Aspen Acres Fire". FEMA (Press release). June 30, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  14. ↑ Krause, David (July 3, 2026). "Aspen Acres fire surpasses 66,000 acres, now 9th largest in state history; hot, dry conditions remain in Colorado forecast". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Aspen Acres Fire Update Thursday, July 3, 2026 07-03-2026". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Aspen Acres Fire rages in Pueblo, Custer counties with 6% containment". Pueblo Chieftain. July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  17. ↑ Prentzel, Olivia (July 6, 2026). "Winds push Aspen Acres fire as blaze surpasses 91,000 acres". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  18. ↑ Hillstrom, Zach. "Aspen Acres Fire grows to 91,500 acres, containment drops overnight". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  19. ↑ Reutter, Justin. "Aspen Acres Fire crews go on the offensive on fire's northern edge". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  20. ↑ savannah.eller@gazette.com, Savannah Eller (July 9, 2026). "Hopes tempered on rain relief for Aspen Acres fire". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ Benzel, Lance (July 18, 2026). "Aspen Acres fire surpasses 100,000 acres as crews increase containment to more than 60%". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  22. ↑ Heaney ·, Briana (July 17, 2026). "Beulah residents who lost everything return home to assess damages wrought by Aspen Acres fire". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  23. ↑ Hillstrom, Zach. "Flash Flood Watch in place Thursday for Aspen Acres Fire burn scar". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  24. ↑ Benzel, Lance (July 22, 2026). "Aspen Acres fire crews shoring up defenses around homes in southern Colorado". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  25. ↑ Chalfin, Andrea (July 6, 2026). "Aspen Acres fire: More than 1,300 personnel assigned to firefighting efforts". KRCC. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  26. ↑ Prentzel, Olivia (July 6, 2026). "Aspen Acres destruction climbs to 263 homes lost in Pueblo, Custer counties". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  27. ↑ Coffield, Dana (July 5, 2026). "Damage assessment teams begin work in Aspen Acres fire zone as weather gives firefighters an edge". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
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