Updated
Updated · KOAA News 5 · Jun 30
Colorado Highway 165 Fire Burns 23,000 Acres as 2,700 Homes Evacuate Near Rye
Updated
Updated · KOAA News 5 · Jun 30

Colorado Highway 165 Fire Burns 23,000 Acres as 2,700 Homes Evacuate Near Rye

3 articles · Updated · KOAA News 5 · Jun 30

Summary

  • 23,000 acres have burned near Rye along Highway 165, with the Aspen Acres fire at 0% containment and multiple structures impacted.
  • More than 2,700 homes were evacuated across Rye, Beulah, San Isabel and nearby roads and subdivisions; officials said four homes burned and no injuries were reported.
  • Highway 165 and Highway 78 were closed in both directions in affected stretches, while evacuation centers opened in Pueblo, Wetmore and at the Colorado State Fairgrounds for large animals.
  • Windy conditions forced crews to cancel some air resources Monday as two fast-growing fires burned in the area near Lake Isabel and the Aspen Acres subdivision.
  • The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control has taken command as smoke engulfed Pueblo and residents were advised to stay indoors.

Insights

When extreme winds make firefighting impossible, what radical new strategies can prevent catastrophic home losses?
With advanced satellite and soil data, why are megafires still outpacing our ability to protect communities?