UPDATE: Aspen Acres fire #1 priority in the state

UPDATE: Aspen Acres fire #1 priority in the state

KXRM Colorado Springs
Sarah Ferguson

Updated

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>>UPDATED COVERAGE: Aspen Acres Fire forces new evacuations, grows to nearly 67,000 acres

UPDATE: THURSDAY 7/2/2026 3:50 p.m.

(PUEBLO COUNTY/CUSTER COUNTY, Colo.) — At a press conference on Thursday, July 2, Governor Jared Polis stressed the importance of personal responsibility this July 4th holiday and avoiding any new fires.

On Thursday, Polis toured some of the accessible areas of the Aspen Acres Fire and commented on both the destructive nature of the fire and the persistence of the first responders working to protect lives and property. He said while many structures near Beulah have burned, the post office and elementary school remain intact.

An updated estimate of structures lost in Pueblo and Custer Counties stands at about 160, though Polis said that number could be over 200. An assessment will begin to confirm losses as soon as it is safe for investigators to access the area.

Polis provided resources for evacuees impacted. DisasterRecovery.Colorado.gov is an online resource where impacted individuals can find tools to help them in the recovery process, whether you’re a homeowner, renter, farmer, or business owner.

Mike Morgan with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control said this fire has become a top priority in the state and in the nation, and noted that the incident is now at the maximum level of response.

“I’ve been a firefighter in Colorado for 40 years, and I have never seen conditions like we’re seeing out there right now,” Morgan said.

Morgan stressed the amount of resources that are currently fighting the Aspen Acres Fire, and urged Coloradans to avoid anything that could potentially spark a fire this holiday weekend, as resources would undoubtedly be pulled from the Aspen Acres Fire should another ignition take place.

“We cannot afford to get another large fire going on the landscape in the state of Colorado,” Morgan said. “Because as soon as we get that, we take resources away from the Beulah fire to keep it small.”

The fire remains at 0% containment, though first responders stressed that the containment does not mean firefighters are not making headway protecting properties.

For those impacted by the fire, Comcast has set up mobile XFinity hotspots around Pueblo County free for the public through July 7. “To support residents and first responders impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire, we have opened public Xfinity WiFi hotspots across affected areas of Pueblo County for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers through July 7. Residents can view hotspot locations and access information at Xfinity WiFi.”

Lake Pueblo State Park has also asked anyone recreating on the lake to steer clean of the dam, as aircraft will be scooping up water for drops. Stay at least 1/2 mile away from the dam, stretching from N1 Cove to Sailboard.

Fire response aircraft gathering water from Lake Pueblo to fight Aspen Acres fire
Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

UPDATE: Aspen Acres Fire has grown to more than 50,000 acres

UPDATE: THURSDAY 7/2/2026 1:30 p.m.

The Aspen Acres Fire has grown to 50,187 acres, as of the latest update on Thursday, July 2, just after 1:15 p.m.

A reconnaissance flight was taken over the area to collect information about the terrain, fuels, fire behavior, and other factors on Wednesday, July 1, according to the official Facebook page for the fire. Photos from the flight are included in the slideshow below.

  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: Brad Washa, OSCC with AKIMT#1
  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: Brad Washa, OSCC with AKIMT#1
  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: Brad Washa, OSCC with AKIMT#1
  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: Brad Washa, OSCC with AKIMT#1
  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: Brad Washa, OSCC with AKIMT#1

An air quality advisory has been issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for Thursday and Friday, July 3, due to wildfire smoke.

ORIGINAL STORY: Extreme fire behavior as Aspen Acres Fire continues to spread

THURSDAY 7/2/2026 8:47 a.m.

The Aspen Acres Fire has grown to nearly 50,000 acres as several road and highway closures remain in effect for the wildfire that began on Monday, June 29, in Pueblo and Custer counties. The Alaska Complex Incident Management Team 1 (CIMT #1) has officially taken over command of the fire, according to the latest update.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, and FOX21 News will provide a live stream of the briefing in the video player above, once available. According to the City of Pueblo, the following is a list of expected speakers for the event:

  • Governor Jared Polis

  • Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero

  • Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith

  • Complex Incident Management Team Incident Commander Jake Livingston

  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Aspen Acres Fire, Map as of Thursday, July 2 at 8 a.m.
  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: FOX21 News
  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: FOX21 News
  • Aspen Acres Fire
    Courtesy: FOX21 News

Aspen Acres Fire: What we know

According to the latest update on Thursday, the fire has now grown to 47,953 acres with 0% containment. The Alaska CIMT #1 provided the following details on the official Aspen Acres Fire Facebook page:

  • Fire Updates:

    • On Wednesday, July 1, the fire exhibited significant activity throughout the afternoon, spreading west into forested terrain, east toward Siloam Road, and demonstrating extreme fire behavior along the southeast flank.

    • A Type 1 handcrew worked in the area constructing direct fireline where conditions allowed.

    • Multiple large and very large air tankers operated throughout the day from Colorado Springs, delivering retardant to slow the fire’s advance and help protect homes, critical infrastructure, watersheds, and other values at risk in the communities of Beulah Valley, Rye, Colorado City, Lake Isabel, and Red Creek.

    • During the afternoon, the fire advanced approximately 2.5 miles north from the Beulah Valley.

    • Operations continue on Thursday with additional geographic divisions established to improve coordination, along with more engines, crews, and overhead personnel arriving to strengthen suppression efforts.

    • Firefighters remain focused on protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure while implementing suppression strategies.

    • The safety of the public and all responders remains the highest priority as crews continue to engage the fire under challenging conditions.

  • Location of where the fire started: 10 Miles NW of Rye in Custer and Pueblo Counties

  • When the fire was reported: Monday, June 29, 2026, at 6 a.m.

  • Cause: Human, under investigation

  • Fire Information Phone Line: (719) 697-8353

  • Thursday weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Southwest winds are expected to gust between 25 and 30 mph, making for another active fire day.

  • Fire Behavior: Extreme fire is expected on Thursday with possible crown runs and group tree torching. Fire has the potential for spotting up to a mile ahead of the front.

  • Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Custer and Pueblo Counties, as well as on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. There is an Aspen Acres Fire Area Closure for the San Carlos Ranger District.

  • Evacuations: For information, call the Joint Information Center at (719) 583-4640.

  • Updates on fire acreage and maps:Click here

Aspen Acres Fire
 

Evacuation information

The list below is the most updated list of mandatory evacuation orders and shelters for the Aspen Acres Fire:

  • Mandatory Evacuations:

    • 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 Bishop’s Castle on Hwy 165

    • 12 Mile Road

    • 3R Road to Crow Cutoff

    • Crow Cutoff west to Boulder Avenue

  • Evacuation Shelters:

    • Lange Hall, 3rd St, Westcliffe (Small animals accepted)

    • Pathfinder Park, Colorado 115, Florence. (Large and Small animals)

    • Pueblo County Recreation Center, 1650 Cooper Place. (Small animals accepted).

    • The large animal/livestock shelter is open at the Colorado State Fairgrounds (Enter Gate 7 off of Small Avenue).

  • Joint Information Center:

    • The Joint Information Center is open.

    • The public can call (719) 583-4640.

Road closures due to Aspen Acres Fire

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) shared a map of road closures on Thursday, affecting state highways 165, 78, and CO 96. Stay up to date on the latest closures at COtrip.org.

CDOT closures for Aspen Acres Fire
CDOT closures for Aspen Acres Fire, as of 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 2.

Disaster Assistance Center in Pueblo

The following hours and location information are for the Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) in Pueblo:

  • The DAC is located at Pueblo City School District 60 at 29 Lehigh Avenue.

  • People should use the entrance off Colgate Lane.

  • The DAC hours are as follows:

    • Thursday, July 2, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

    • Friday, July 3, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

    • Saturday, July 4, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    • Sunday, July 5, CLOSED

    • Monday, July 6, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Southern Colorado Wildfire Relief: Where to donate

The United Way of Southern Colorado has organized several ways for the community to donate and help those impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire. Information is below:

  • Visit unitedwaysoco.org/emergencyinfo to donate, view the current list of needed items, and learn more.

    • For monetary donations, 100% of every dollar goes directly to wildfire relief and recovery efforts.

  • Drop off much-needed supplies at United Way of Southern Colorado, located at 510 West 3rd Street in Pueblo.

    • Hours: Monday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

United Way of SOCO donations
 

Donations for livestock and large animals for the Aspen Acres Fire

According to the City of Pueblo, the Pueblo Community Animal Response Team (CART) is coordinating livestock and large animal response for the fire. The following is information on the two locations, one of which needs donations:

  • Pathfinder Park

    • Location: 6639 Highway 115, Florence

    • Phone number: (719) 618-8731

    • Currently in need of the following donations:

      • Grass-Hay

      • High Visibility Vests

      • Traffic Cones

      • Safety Goggles

      • Poultry Feed

      • Poultry Waterers and Feeders

      • Pelleted Horse Feed

      • Senior Feed-Hay Cubes

  • Colorado State Fairgrounds

    • Location: 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo

    • Directions: Enter Gate 7 off of Small Avenue

    • The Colorado State Fairgrounds location is no longer in need of donations as of 11 a.m. on Thursday

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) said its Community Animal Response Team (CART) and Animal Law Enforcement (ALE) members have been activated to assist with the ongoing fire. HSPPR said it is supporting evacuated families and their animals by providing emergency shelter and care for pets displaced by the fire. Currently, the shelter’s need is monetary donations to its Emergency Response Fund, which allows it to purchase food, medical supplies, crates, and other critical resources as needs change.

The shelter is also encouraging those interested in adopting pets to check out the shelter’s adoptable pets, as adopting a pet opens a kennel for an animal who may soon need a safe place during fire season.

The Aspen Acres Fire is now the 12th-largest in Colorado’s history.

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