Massive Colorado Wildfire Prompts Evacuations, Damages 160 Homes
WHO:
PBS - Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate due to the wildfire.
PBS - About 50 National Guard soldiers were sent to assist with the situation.
WHAT:
The Colorado Sun - The Aspen Acres fire expanded to 85,585 acres, an increase of roughly 10,000 acres, and remains zero percent contained.
The Colorado Sun - The Aspen Acres fire has become the eighth largest wildfire by acreage in Colorado history, now standing just behind the High Park fire, which burned 87,284 acres in 2012.
The Colorado Sun - The fire has led to the evacuation of roughly 3,800 homes, affecting 11,000 people.
The Colorado Sun - More than 180 structures have been destroyed, including at least 55 homes in Custer County.
AP - The Aspen Acres fire expanded to about 115 square miles (297 square kilometers) with zero containment.
Al Jazeera - Investigators have said the Aspen Acres Fire was caused by humans, but they have not yet released any other details.
ABC News US - Smoke from the fire has disrupted travel, with visibility in parts along Interstate 25 dropping to as little as a half a mile (0.8 kilometers).
ABC News US - Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control reported that several professional firework displays have already been cancelled due to extreme fire risk, with many counties now under fire restrictions.
ABC News US - The National Weather Service maintained Red Flag Warnings across much of the state, citing hot, dry conditions, low humidity, and gusty winds as factors creating critical fire conditions.
NY Post - The Aspen Acres fire destroyed 160 structures.
PBS - The Aspen Acres fire expanded by 17 square miles (44 square kilometers), bringing its total size to nearly 105 square miles (272 square kilometers) with zero containment.
ABC News US - The wildfire prompted evacuations of thousands of residents.
WHERE:
AP - The Aspen Acres fire is located southwest of Denver, affecting two Colorado counties.
PBS - The wildfire is located southwest of Denver, Colorado, affecting two counties.
PBS - All of Colorado City, an unincorporated community of about 2,200, was ordered evacuated, along with the towns of Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel.
WHEN:
PBS - The destruction of structures and evacuations occurred by Friday.
WHY:
PBS - The wildfire was fueled by months of dry weather and a record lack of snow during the past winter.
HOW:
The Colorado Sun - Fire crews are building dozer lines along the fire’s northeastern flank, along Siloam Road and around Galbreath Creek and Wales Canyon.
AP - National Guard members are assisting State Park Rangers by bringing on additional boats to keep boaters clear of water-scooping operations.
PBS - Fire personnel were scooping water from the Pueblo Reservoir to combat the Aspen Acres fire.
PBS - National Guard members were tasked with staffing checkpoints on roads in Custer and Pueblo counties and assisting State Park Rangers with water-scooping operations.
(UPDATED July 4, 2026 23:13 UTC)
The Aspen Acres fire has expanded to 85,585 acres, making it the eighth largest wildfire in Colorado history, just behind the High Park fire from 2012. This devastating blaze has led to the evacuation of approximately 3,800 homes, impacting around 11,000 people, and has destroyed more than 180 structures, including at least 55 homes in Custer County. Fire crews are actively working to contain the fire by building dozer lines along its northeastern flank, particularly near Siloam Road and around Galbreath Creek and Wales Canyon.
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(UPDATED July 4, 2026 11:20 UTC)
The Aspen Acres fire has grown to approximately 115 square miles with no containment reported. Located southwest of Denver, the blaze is impacting two counties in Colorado. To assist with the situation, National Guard members are working alongside State Park Rangers, bringing in additional boats to ensure that boaters stay clear of water-scooping operations.
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(UPDATED July 4, 2026 01:28 UTC)
Investigators have determined that the Aspen Acres Fire was caused by humans, although they have not yet provided further details. Smoke from the fire has significantly disrupted travel, reducing visibility along parts of Interstate 25 to as little as a half a mile. Additionally, Colorado's Division of Fire Prevention and Control has reported that several professional firework displays have been canceled due to extreme fire risk, with many counties now under fire restrictions as the National Weather Service maintains Red Flag Warnings across much of the state.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 23:21 UTC)
A devastating wildfire known as the Aspen Acres fire has forced thousands of residents to evacuate, with about 50 National Guard soldiers deployed to assist in the emergency response. The fire has already destroyed 160 structures and expanded by 17 square miles, bringing its total size to nearly 105 square miles with zero containment, primarily affecting areas southwest of Denver, Colorado. All of Colorado City, along with the towns of Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel, have been ordered to evacuate as fire personnel work tirelessly to combat the blaze using water from the Pueblo Reservoir.