The Aspen Acres Fire has burned more than 50,000 acres since it sparked west of Beulah, Colorado, on Monday, forcing many residents in the area to leave quickly. Meanwhile, firefighters continue efforts to bring the blaze under control in dangerous conditions.
The fast-moving fire necessitated evacuations across multiple areas, including Beulah, Rye, San Isabel, and part of Colorado City. The Pikes Peak Region Humane Society is requesting items to help pets who were evacuated with their families, including donations of:
- Sealed food items
- Shelf-stable food items
- Diapers, commercial and shelf-stable formula, new bottles
- Non-clumping cat litter
Donations can be dropped off at the Pueblo County Recreation Center.
The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office says the livestock evacuation centers at Pathfinder Park in Florence and the Pueblo County Fairgrounds have received the donations they need for now.
Resources are available for residents affected by the fire at the Disaster Assistance Center at the Pueblo Academy of Arts, located at 29 Leigh Avenue. The center offers victims assistance, food, behavioral health resources, Red Cross assistance, human services, insurance support, agriculture assistance and more. Pueblo County officials say the center is open to residents of Pueblo and Custer Counties, and proof of residency is required to use the center's resources.
The United Way of Southern Colorado says donations can be dropped off at 1591 Taos Road, Building D in Pueblo from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Sunday. A list of donations is available on their website.