Colorado wildfire prompts mass evacuations as Aspen Acres blaze spreads

The Aspen Acres Fire, igniting southwest of Denver, has surged across Pueblo and Custer counties, expanding to roughly 105 sq mi (272 km²) with zero containment. The blaze has destroyed more than 160 structures and forced the evacuation of about 2,200 residents from Colorado City and the nearby towns of Beulah, Rye and San Isabel. Approximately 50 Colorado National Guard soldiers were deployed to staff road checkpoints and assist State Park Rangers in keeping boats away from the Pueblo Reservoir, where crews are scooping water for firefighting.

Officials attribute the rapid spread to months of dry weather, record‑low snowfall and strong, erratic winds, conditions linked to climate change. The National Weather Service warned that thunderstorms could bring gusty outflow winds up to 50 mph and lightning, potentially hampering containment efforts. Air‑quality alerts and Red Flag warnings remain in effect, and Governor Jared Polis ordered flags at half‑staff after three firefighters were killed on the Colorado‑Utah border earlier in the week.

The fire is one of about 40 large wildfires burning across the western United States, with nearby incidents such as the Snyder, Cottonwood and Babylon fires also active.

"These three brave heroes ran towards the flames, put themselves in harm's way, and gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect Coloradans," Polis said in a social‑media post.