Thousands Forced to Flee as Colorado's Aspen Acres Fire Becomes the Top Wildfire Priority in the Nation

The Aspen Acres Fire burning through Pueblo and Custer counties in southern Colorado has rapidly grown to nearly 48,000 acres, making it the top wildfire priority in the United States. As of early July, the fire has destroyed at least 180 structures and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, with no containment reported.

The fire’s explosive growth has drawn resources from across the country, with firefighting teams arriving from as far as Alaska and Tennessee. Officials expect up to 1,000 firefighters to be on the ground as the battle intensifies.

A Fire That Refuses to Slow Down

What began as a localized threat near the communities of Beulah and Rye quickly escalated under powerful winds and dry conditions. Night crews battling the blaze had “their work cut out for them,” according to the Colorado Incident Management Team, as storms drove extreme fire behavior through the area.

The fire has carved through Pueblo and Custer counties, threatening communities including Rye, Beulah, San Isabel, and Wetmore. All towns remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Emergency shelters have opened at the Red Cross in Pueblo, the Colorado State Fairgrounds, and the Pueblo County Fairgrounds.