Updated

Updated · Pueblo Chieftain · Jul 3

Aspen Acres Fire Swells to 74,265 Acres, Destroys 212 Structures With 0% Containment

Updated

Updated · Pueblo Chieftain · Jul 3

Aspen Acres Fire Swells to 74,265 Acres, Destroys 212 Structures With 0% Containment

3 articles · Updated · Pueblo Chieftain · Jul 3

At least 212 structures have been destroyed as the Aspen Acres Fire expanded to 74,265 acres by late July 3, with officials warning the loss count will likely rise.
Zero containment remained in place as low humidity, high winds and extreme fire behavior drove the blaze across Pueblo and Custer counties, where about 475 personnel were deployed.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated, including all of Beulah, Rye, Wetmore, San Isabel and Colorado City, while more than 3,800 addresses await notifications and multiple highways remain closed.
Pueblo County has confirmed 157 destroyed structures in the Beulah Valley from an assessment only about 60% complete, and the fire came within 200 yards of Bishop Castle after consuming the historic Horseshoe Lodge.
Ignited June 29 near Aspen Acres campground in Custer County, the wildfire is now the eighth largest in Colorado history, though no civilian injuries or deaths have been reported.

Sources

Pueblo Chieftain8h ago

Aspen Acres Fire Reaches 74,265 Acres, Destroys 212 Structures with 0% Containment in Custer and Pueblo Counties

The Washington Post10h ago

Wildfire southwest of Denver forces thousands to evacuate and destroys more than 160 structures - The Washington Post

PBS NewsHour8h ago

Aspen Acres Fire Forces Thousands to Evacuate, Destroys 160+ Structures in Colorado

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Aspen Acres Fire Burns 67,000 Acres: Human-Caused Blaze Highlights Colorado’s Escalating Wildfire Emergency

Overview

The Aspen Acres Fire has rapidly expanded as of July 2, 2026, driven by strong overnight winds that pushed the blaze several miles in multiple directions. This aggressive spread has created an immediate and escalating threat across a wide area. The Colorado State Forest Service forecasts that active fire behavior will continue, fueled by extremely dry air, persistent gusty winds, and little chance of rain. With low humidity and high temperatures expected over the next two days, the fire’s intensity is likely to be sustained, making containment efforts especially challenging and increasing the risk of further devastation.

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