The Aspen Acres fire burning across Pueblo and Custer counties has grown to more than 50,000 acres and remains 0% contained. Officials say it continues to be the highest-priority wildfire in Colorado as crews work to protect communities, manage evacuations and prevent any additional fires from starting during the holiday weekend.
Aspen Acres Fire Remains Colorado’s Top Priority
Fire officials said the Aspen Acres fire is still the state’s most urgent wildfire response. As of Thursday, the fire had completely surrounded the town of Beulah, but officials were not able to provide updated information about conditions inside the community.
Authorities did confirm one major loss: the historic Horseshoe Lodge at Pueblo Mountain Park has burned.
Large Firefighting Crew Takes Over Operations
A 650-person crew from Alaska has taken command of firefighting operations. Additional help is also arriving in Colorado, including 100 engines from California.
The scale of the response shows how serious the fire has become. However, officials warned that resources are not unlimited.
Fire Officials Concerned About New Wildfires
Mike Morgan, director of Colorado’s Fire Prevention and Control, said one of the biggest dangers now is the possibility of another large fire starting elsewhere in Colorado or the Rocky Mountain region.
He warned that firefighting resources are already stretched. If another major wildfire begins, crews and aircraft may have to be pulled away from the Aspen Acres fire to stop the new fire from growing.
Morgan emphasized that there are only a limited number of aircraft and firefighters available across the United States.
Public Urged to Prevent New Fire Starts
With the holiday weekend approaching, officials are asking the public to avoid any activity that could spark another wildfire.
Morgan urged residents and visitors to do their part by preventing new ignitions. Fire officials are especially concerned about celebrations or outdoor activities that could create fire danger in dry and windy conditions.
Aspen Acres Fire Evacuation Areas
Several communities and surrounding areas have been evacuated or placed under evacuation-related notices because of the Aspen Acres fire.
Evacuated communities include:
- Wetmore
- Beulah
- Rye
- San Isabel
Other evacuated areas include:
- Burnt Mill Road east to Interstate 25
- South of Lake Isabel to Rye
- Two-mile evacuation area from San Isabel
- Lazy Acres to Bishop Castle on Highway 165
- 12 Mile Road
- 3R Road to Crow Cutoff
- North Creek area from Central Road to the Custer County line
- Portions of Colorado City
Parts of Colorado City are under an evacuation notice, while other sections remain under a pre-evacuation notice. Residents in pre-evacuation zones should be prepared to leave immediately if conditions worsen.
Officials noted that this may not be the complete evacuation list.
Evacuation Centers Open for Residents
Evacuation centers have been opened to support people displaced or affected by the Aspen Acres fire.
| Evacuation Center | Address |
|---|---|
| St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center | 1650 Cooper Pl., Pueblo, CO 81006 |
| Lange Hall | Lange South 3rd Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252 |
| Pathfinder Regional Park | Colorado 115, Florence, CO 81226 |
Residents can also use the Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool, an online resource designed to help people find recovery and emergency support.
Aspen Acres Fire Road Closures
Road closures remain in place because of the Aspen Acres fire. The listed closures were current as of 7 a.m. Thursday, July 2.
Officials are directing drivers to check COTrip.org for the most recent road closure and travel information, as conditions can change quickly during wildfire operations.
Why the Aspen Acres Fire Is So Dangerous
The Aspen Acres fire is especially concerning because of its size, lack of containment and proximity to multiple communities. With Beulah surrounded, several towns evacuated and critical firefighting resources already committed, officials are focused on slowing the fire while preventing new ignitions elsewhere.
The loss of the historic Horseshoe Lodge also shows the damage already caused by the fire.