The Aspen Acres Fire has burned more than 74,000 acres and destroyed at least 212 structures as of the most recent updates from fire officials.
The fast-moving wildfire that began June 29 near the Aspen Acres campground in Custer County is now the eighth largest in Colorado history. It has forced thousands of residents to evacuate, including the entire towns of Beulah, Rye, Wetmore, and San Isabel, as well as Colorado City.
No civilian injuries or deaths have been reported.
The fire was last mapped at 74,265 acres with no containment lines established as of 4 p.m. on July 3, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.
Approximately 475 personnel were responding to the blaze as of Friday morning. It remains 0% contained, and extreme fire conditions, including low humidity and high winds, persisted Friday.
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Details regarding specific addresses or neighborhoods affected by the fire have not been released, but at least 212 structures — 157 confirmed so far in Pueblo County and 55 in Custer County — have been destroyed. The actual number is likely significantly higher, as crews have thus far had limited ability to conduct damage assessments due to the rapidly evolving fire conditions.
One of the buildings lost was the historic Horseshoe Lodge in the Beulah Mountain Park, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As of a 3:30 p.m. press conference on July 3, the fire had also come within 200 yards of Bishop Castle in Custer County.
Evacuations
Evacuations are in place for the following areas:
- Red Creek area from Siloam Road east to the area of Red Creek Springs Road West, and Colorado Highway 96 West
- Wetmore
- Colorado City North of 165, west of Crow Cutoff to Table Mountain Church
- Red Creek Ranch area north of Highway 78, south of Highway 96, and west of Siloam Road
- Town of Beulah
- Town of Rye
- Town of San Isabel
- Burnt Mill Rd East to Interstate 25
- South of Lake Isabel to Rye, 2 mile evacuation from San Isabel
- From Lazy Acres to Bishops Castle on CO 165
- 12 Mile Road
- 3R Road to Crow Cutoff
- Crow Cutoff west to Boulder Avenue
- All of Colorado City west of Interstate 25 between Huerfano County and Burnt Mill Road, including West Hatchett Ranch and Burnt Mill Road.
Shelters
Evacuation centers have been established at:
- Pueblo County: The Pueblo County Recreation Center, 1650 Cooper Place
- Custer County: Lange Hall, Lange South 3rd Street, Westcliffe
- Custer County: Pathfinder Regional Park, Colorado 115, Florence
Road closures
Several road closures are also in place:
- Colorado Highway 165 is closed northbound and southbound from mile point 0 (McKenzie Junction) to mile point 35.1 (S. Crow Cutoff)
- Colorado Highway 78 is closed from mile point 0 (at CO 165) to mile point 23 (at Rock Creek Road)
- Colorado Highway 67 is closed southbound at mile point 3 (Fremont County line). Northbound CO 67 is open for evacuees to use as a detour out of the Wetmore area.
- Colorado Highway 96 is closed in both directions from mile point 3 (Silvercliff) to mile point 33.5 (Siloam Road). Siloam Road is closed southbound from CO 96 as well.
- Evacuees can still use CO 96 to leave the Wetmore evacuation area, but no traffic will be allowed into the area.