Monsoon moisture moved into the area Tuesday, bringing wetter thunderstorms and higher rainfall totals compared to Monday. Temperatures cooled a few degrees, and relative humidity rose as moisture increased.

On Wednesday, higher humidity and scattered thunderstorms are expected, with rainfall amounts of 0.25–0.50 inches likely and locally higher totals possible over the burn scar. Cooler temperatures and elevated humidity will persist through the end of the week.

Fire operations update

• Heavy rainfall is expected over the Aspen Acres Fire burn scar today as strong thunderstorms move through the area.

• Sudden, intense rainfall may cause rapid runoff and increase the potential for flooding in and around burned areas.

• Thunderstorms Tuesday brought about 0.01 inches of rain along the southwest edge of the fire.

• Highways 165 and 78, and the communities of Lake Isabel and Beaulah should monitor conditions for flooding.

• Small pockets of fire activity remain on the southwest portion of the fire, and containment remains at 72%.

• Containment is the percentage of a wildfire's perimeter that fire managers believe will stop the fire's spread under current conditions.

  • It is achieved when control lines, such as dozer lines, roads, or natural barriers, are in place and expected to hold.

  • Containment does not mean the fire is out; fire may still be burning within the contained area while crews extinguish hot spots, repair suppression impacts, and monitor for flare-ups.

• As monsoon moisture increases, areas of creeping fire, smoldering, and visible smoke may continue.

• Light rain can dampen surface fuels, but larger fuels such as logs and downed wood absorb moisture slowly and may smolder for extended periods. This is a normal part of wildfire behavior and does not necessarily indicate increased fire activity or potential for spread.

• Heavy equipment operations remain focused on suppression repair, hazard removal, and maintaining safe access ahead of increasing monsoon activity.

• Over the next 72 hours, wet thunderstorms may bring heavy rain, gusty winds, flooding, debris movement, and hazardous travel conditions, potentially disrupting operations and road use.

• Ensuring safe access, maintaining critical equipment, and preparing for weather-related hazards remain top priorities for firefighter and public safety.

Map of fire

An updated map of the Aspen Acres Fire is shown below. Containment lines are depicted in black.

Aspen Acres Fire map Wednesday, Aug. 12

Pueblo County voter registration reminder

Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Candace Rivera and Election staff are reminding those affected by the Aspen Acres Fire that ballots for the Nov. 3 Pueblo County General Elections will be mailed out on Oct. 5.

To ensure ballots are delivered to the correct location, voters should verify their registration information is up to date. To update information before Oct. 5, go to the Election Office at 201 W. 8th Street, 7th Floor, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or online at govotecolorado.gov.

Those staying in temporary housing should keep their home address as their residence and add the temporary location as the mailing address so the proper ballot is sent without interruption. For questions, call (319) 583-6620.

Evacuations for Aspen Acres Fire

• All evacuation zones have been reduced to either pre-evacuation or clear status. For zones in pre-evacuation status, people must receive a re-entry card from their respective county. Upon return, homeowners should be prepared to leave again if weather or fire conditions worsen.

• People are advised to call the Joint Information Center at (719) 583-4640 for information about closures, evacuations, Disaster Assistance Center information, and more for Pueblo and Custer Counties.

• The Custer County Sheriff's Office has also opened an information line for community members in Custer County.

  • The information line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • The number is (719) 467-0271.

  • If the line is busy, people are asked to leave a message and wait for a call back.

• For Huerfano and Fremont counties, people should visit their county's social media pages or call (719) 738-1044 for Huerfano County dispatch and (719) 276-7421 for the Fremont County Emergency Operations Center.

Shelter, other information for evacuees

• Lange Hall

  • 3rd St, Westcliffe

  • Small animals accepted

• Pueblo County Recreation Center

  • 1650 Cooper Place

  • Small animals accepted

• Pathfinder Park: Livestock and large animals

  • 6639 Highway 115, Florence

• Colorado State Fairgrounds: Livestock and large animals

  • 1001 Beulah Avenue

  • Enter Gate 7 off of Small Avenue

  • Animal release steps from the Pueblo County Community Animal Response Team

    • Animal releases from the grounds are open from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

    • Enter through Gate 7; after that, people will be sent to the paperwork station.

    • People should prepare to provide ownership information for their animals either by providing brand papers, a bill of sale, vet health records, or other related documentation.

      • If those items are unavailable due to the disaster, contact Pueblo County Brand Inspector Zach Kuhn at (719) 225-0137

• Fire Information Phone Line

  • (719) 697-8353

• Official Fire Information

  • Aspen Acres Fire 2026 Facebook page: Click here

  • Aspen Acres Fire Information – InciWeb

• Joint Information Center

  • The public can call (719) 583-4640

• Colorado Disaster Recovery

  • Click here: Colorado Disaster Recovery

• Disaster Assistance Center

  • Lange Hall, 310 South 3rd Street, Westcliffe.

  • D.A.C hours:

    • Monday – Friday: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

    • Saturday: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

• Colorado 2-1-1

  • Wildfire Resources, or call 211 for fire information or resources. English: 1-844-975-1881 and Spanish: 1-844-975-1882.

• Aspen Acres Fire Disaster Portal

  • Pueblo County access here: Survivor Portal

  • Custer County access here: Survivor Portal

• Crisis Cleanup Hotline

  • Those who need assistance with cleanup can contact the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at (970) 283-7325 to request volunteer help with debris removal, ash cleanup, and other eligible recovery needs.

Recovery Assistance Center in Pueblo

The following hours and location information are for the Recovery Assistance Center in Pueblo:

• The RAC is located at Beulah Heights Elementary, 2670 Delphinium Street.

• Beginning Monday, Aug. 3, RAC will be open Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• The RAC will be closed Thursday through Sunday.

Structures lost due to Aspen Acres Fire

The latest updates on structures lost due to the Aspen Acres Fire:

• According to Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero, the number of homes and commercial properties destroyed in Pueblo County is 241.

  • Sheriff Lucero said the lost structures include 208 in Beulah, 28 in Rye, two in Colorado City, and three in unincorporated Pueblo County.

• Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith said the total in Custer has climbed to 85.

Road closures due to Aspen Acres Fire

Follow the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for the latest closures at COtrip.org.

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 on how to donate 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.