Aspen Acres Fire Update July 28: Fire Holds at 101,921 Acres, 66% Contained as New Incident Team Takes Command

Description: The Aspen Acres Fire near Rye, Colorado remains at 101,921 acres and 66% contained. Rocky Mountain CIM Team 3 has assumed command as firefighters continue suppression repair and officials warn of ongoing flash flood risks...

Daily Update for Aspen Acres Fire 07/28/2026

Size: 101,921 acres | Containment: 66% | Cause: Undetermined | Start Date: June 29, 2026

Location: 10 Miles NW of Rye, CO | Total Personnel: 821

Key Messages: Effective at 7:00 a.m. this morning, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management (CIM) Team 3, led by Incident Commanders Casey Cheesbrough, Jay Miller and Troy Phelps, officially assumed command of the incident. Rocky Mountain CIM Team 3 thanks the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 6 for the strong foundation they established and looks forward to building on that progress while continuing to work alongside local, state, and federal partners.

Flood danger within burn scar areas remains elevated. Rainfall may trigger flash flooding or debris flows with little notice. Community members should keep emergency alerts enabled and stay ready to evacuate again if flash‑flood potential increases or fire conditions worsen.

Current Situation:Yesterday, in the northwestern portion of the fire perimeter, personnel were dedicated to mopping up along control lines and securing the perimeter.  Along the northern and eastern fire perimeters, crews are working in close coordination with resource advisors to conduct suppression repair. These efforts aim to stabilize areas disturbed by firefighting activities and minimize future erosion. West of Lake Isabel and south of Saint Charles Peak, crews continue to improve indirect line and continue assessing options for the enduring strategy to protect the values at Lake Isabel.  

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is currently on-site conducting assessments of post-fire threats. UAS will be utilized to map critical watersheds, providing specialists with data to identify and develop mitigation strategies for locations vulnerable to post-fire flooding and debris flows.

WEATHER

Monsoon moisture is expected to spread across the fire area on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in a high probability of showers and thunderstorms, and slightly cooler temperatures. These storms may produce lightning and gusty winds. Relative humidity is expected to higher, ranging from 18-19%. Lightning and gusty winds can be expected.  Conditions are anticipated to trend drier during the latter part of the week.

CLOSURE AND EVACUATIONS 

There is an Aspen Acres Fire Area Closure on the San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike, San Isabel, Comanche and Cimarron National Forest. Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/alerts/aspen-acres-fire-area-closure. 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. For evacuation information please visit Pueblo County: www.puebloemergency.info,

Custer County:  https://www.facebook.com/CCSOAdmin, or Huerfano County: 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/  

Aspen Acres Fire Information

Phone: (719) 697-8353 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

Email: 2026.aspenacres@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspenAcresFire2026

Facebook-Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/people/Aspen-Acres-Fire-2026-en-Espa%C3%B1ol/61591656269234/

Tweet

Image Gallery