Colorado wildfire forces evacuation of thousands and destroys over 160 structures

A massive wildfire burning in the southwest of Denver has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents across several Colorado communities, including the towns of Beulah, Rye and San Isabel. The blaze, centered around Aspen Acres, has spread to about 297 sq km and has destroyed more than 160 buildings.

Firefighters are drawing water from the Pueblo Reservoir to fight the flames, while about 50 National Guard soldiers have been deployed to assist with road control and fire‑line protection. The fire is one of roughly 40 large, uncontrolled blazes burning across the western United States, driven by months of dry weather and a record‑low snowfall last winter.

Additional hot spots such as the Snyder fire near the Colorado‑Utah border, the Cottonwood fire in southwest Utah and the Babylon fire in the state's southeast have also grown, further straining regional firefighting resources.