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Aspen Acres Fire Update: 96,031-Acre Fire Near Rye Reaches 15% Containment After Northwest Surge


Description: The Aspen Acres Fire is 96,031 acres and 15% contained as crews battle hot spots, protect communities near Greenwood, Wetmore, Rye, and Colorado City, and prepare for storms...

Aspen Acres Fire Update

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.

 
Alaska Complex Incident Management Team 1
Jake Livingston, Incident Commander
 
Size: 96,031 |  Containment: 15%  |  Total Personnel: Approximately 1,677
Location: 10 Miles NW of Rye, CO in Custer and Pueblo Counties
Reported: June 29, 2026, at 6:00 a.m.  |  Cause: Human, Under Investigation
Fire Information Phone Line: 719.697.8353   |  Email: 2026.aspenacres@firenet.gov
 
Fire Update: On Tuesday afternoon, the fire made a surge to the northwest that threatened Greenwood and Wetmore, leading to a firefight that lasted for several hours. Winds out of the southeast pushed the fire downhill toward dozer lines that had just been completed on Monday. Firefighters were poised and ready to spring into action. With the support of engines, dozers and aerial resources, they added checkline along the flank of the oncoming fire to keep it from moving laterally around the dozer line. Several spot fires ignited nearby, and firefighters pushed handline and dozer line around those spots. Fire activity started to calm late in the day when winds shifted and light rain began to fall. Overnight crews remained in position to address any flareups and secure fireline, and that work continues today.
 
Crews on the north and northeast edges of the fire are mopping up along firelines, seeking out and extinguishing hot spots. Along the eastern edge near the intersection of Siloam Road and Even Roads, crews used a combination of firing operations and direct attack to keep fire coming out of the Galbeth Creek drainage from crossing Siloam Road. Firefighters on Wednesday will mop up following those operations, methodically working to eliminate hot spots near the fireline, homes and other structures in the area. 
 
Along the southern edge, from Colorado City to Rye, firefighters continue to extinguish hotspots, working well inside the fire's edge to make sure there are no sources of heat that could lead to fire spread. On the western edge, fire continues to move to the west near the Lefthand Fork of North Creek. There is potential for it to reach highway 165, and work is underway to construct handline and dozer line to protect homes, ranch buildings and other structures that could be impacted. 
 
Weather: The fire area received only a trace of rain on Tuesday. More showers and thunderstorms are predicted for Wednesday, and there is an increased chance of significant moisture and potentially intense rainfall.  A flash flood warning has been issued from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday for the fire area.    Storms could push gusty outflow winds onto the fire, creating erratic fire activity.
 
Fire Behavior: The trees, brush and grasses in the fire area remain historically dry and ready to burn. The rain showers predicted for Wednesday could moderate fire activity and reduce fires spread.
 
Fire Restrictions & Closures: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Custer and Pueblo Counties, as well as on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. There is an Aspen Acres Fire Area Closure for the San Carlos Ranger District. Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/alerts/aspen-acres-fire-area-closure
 
Evacuations: Evacuations and pre-evacuations are in place across Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, and Huerfano Counties. Please call the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 719-583-4640 for information about closures, evacuations, Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) information, and more for Pueblo and Custer Counties. Huerfano and Fremont County residents should visit their county's social media pages or call 719-738-1044 for Huerfano County dispatch and 719-276-7421 for the Fremont County Emergency Operations Center. 
There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place above the fire area. Flying any aircraft within the TFR is prohibited. This includes the use of drones, or unmanned aerial systems.
 
Air Quality: An Air Resource Advisor is assigned to the incident and assessing where communities may be impacted by smoke. To get daily air quality information, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ 



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