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Aspen Acres Fire Update July 27: Fire Reaches 101,921 Acres, 66% Contained as Command Transitions
Description: The Aspen Acres Fire near Rye, Colorado has grown to 101,921 acres and is 66% contained. Command transitions to Rocky Mountain CIMT 3 on July 28 as firefighters continue suppression efforts and officials warn of ongoing flash flood risks...
Daily Update for Aspen Acres Fire 07/27/2026
Location: 10 Miles NW of Rye, CO in Custer and Pueblo Counties
Start Date: Reported 06/29/2026 around 6:00 a.m.
Cause: Human, Under Investigation
Latest Intelligence: 101,921 acres
Containment: 66% Total Personnel: 881
KEY MESSAGE
This will be the last daily update from Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 6. Tomorrow morning, management of the fire will be transferred to Rocky Mountain CIMT 3 The new team arrived on Sunday evening and will spend today shadowing fire personnel to be able to safely transfer command tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. The Rocky Mountain Team brings in the same capacity and expertise to incident management as the Northern Rockies Team.
Burn scar flood risk remains elevated. Heavy rain can produce flash flooding and debris flows with little warning. Yesterday in Custer County, over 85 volunteers help fill and load sandbags to help protect against flooding. Homeowners are encouraged to pick them up in San Isabel and Aspen Acres in order to place them around their property. Residents should keep emergency alerts on and be prepared to leave again if risk of flash flooding or fire conditions worsen.
On Sunday, fire activity on most of the fire line was minimal. Along the west perimeter of the fire, crews continued to strengthen primary and secondary lines. In the last week, firefighters were able to contain multiple new starts caused by lightning nearby. To ensure continuity of suppression operations, a group of firefighters were assigned specifically for initial attack of new starts to allow other firefighters to remain focused on suppression efforts on the Aspen Acres Fire.
North of Rye, fire activity flared up slightly and smoke could be seen on Sunday. Firefighters were able to keep fire within containment lines and prevent new fire growth. Crews patrolled for heat sources and mopped-up along containment lines. Resource advisors continued to scout for suppression repair needs.
Closer to San Isabel, firefighters continued to improve and hold primary and secondary lines. Pockets of unburned fuel remain between active fire lines and San Isabel. To better protect the community, firefighters and UAS resources are prepared to begin tactical burning operations when conditions allow. These operations apply manageable fire on ridgetops, allowing it to slowly back downhill, to minimize fire intensity.
Along the northern and eastern perimeter, firefighters continue suppression repair efforts in collaboration with resource advisors and the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)Team. Firefighters continue to patrol for smoke reports, mop-up hot spots, and backhaul equipment and supplies.
For your safety and the safety of firefighters, please stay out of active fire areas so crews and heavy equipment operators can work safely.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Weather conditions are expected to continue on this warm dry trend throughout the next few days. Temperatures will range from the lower 100s at lower elevations and the low 70s at higher elevations. More thunderstorms are expected in the evening today, bringing lightning, gusty outflow winds, and moderate to heavy rainfall.
As conditions continue to become hotter and drier, fire activity may increase but is expected to remain minimal in timber. Fine fuels such as grasses may exhibit increased fire activity.
AREA CLOSURE
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. Please monitor land managing agencies for other fire restrictions.
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.
EVACUATIONS
All evacuations have been reduced to pre-evacuation or clear. Residents in pre-evacuation status should remain prepared, as firefighting activities continue in the area and residents may be asked to leave again due to firefighting operations or increased fire activity. Only residents will be allowed in at this time. Residents are required to have a re-entry card to access their property. For residents in pre-evacuation zones, please refer to the following information.
In Pueblo County, Zones P8, P11, FS1, FS2, FS3, FS4, FS5, and FS6 are in pre-evacuation status. All other zones have been reduced to clear. If you still need to receive your re-entry card, please visit the Recovery Assistance Center at 2670 Delphinium Street in Pueblo. The RAC will not be open Saturday or Sunday and will reopen at noon Monday. For more information, please visit www.puebloemergency.info.
In Custer County, Zones C1, C2, C3, C4, C9b, and C5c remain in pre-evacuation status. All other zones have been reduced to clear. Re-entry cards are available at the Disaster Assistance Center (D.A.C) at 310 S 3rd Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252 Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring photo ID or proof of residency. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CCSOAdmin.
Huerfano County Sheriff's Office has reduced Zones H16, H17, and H1 to pre-evacuation status. For further information, call 719-738-1044 to reach Huerfano County dispatch or visit https://huerfano.us/aspen-acres-fire-rye-huerfano/.
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/
OFFICIAL WEBSITES
The public and members of the media should monitor the following official websites for additional information:
Follow Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Facebook at www.facebook.com/PuebloSheriff and X: @PuebloCountySO https://x.com/PuebloCountySO.
Follow Custer County Sheriff's Office Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCSOAdmin; on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/custercountycosheriff/ and on X at https://x.com/CusterSOcolo.
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