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Updated at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026
The Aspen Acres fire burning in Pueblo and Custer counties is currently more than 50,000 acres with no containment. It continues to be the top priority fire in the state.
Officials were unable to give updates about the town of Beulah, which is completely surrounded by the fire on Thursday.
They did confirm that the historic Horseshoe Lodge at Pueblo Mountain Park has burned.
A 650-person crew from Alaska took over operations in fighting the fire. More help is pouring into the state, including 100 engines from California.
Mike Morgan directs Colorado's Fire Prevention and Control. He said his biggest concern with this fire is if another one starts.
“We cannot afford to get another large fire going on the landscape in the state of Colorado or in the Rocky Mountain area,” Morgan said. “As soon as we get that, we take resources away from the Beulah fire to keep it small.”
He said Aspen Acres fire crews are already seeing a drawdown of resources.
“There's a finite amount of aircraft and firefighters in the United States of America,” Morgan said.
Officials urged the public to use caution this holiday weekend and avoid any celebrations that pose a fire risk.
“The secret to this, and what our ask of you today is that please do your part to stop new ignitions of wildfire,” Morgan said.
Aspen Acres fire evacuations
In addition to the communities of Wetmore, Beulah, Rye and San Isabel, other evacuated areas include:
- Burnt Mill Rd East to Interstate 25
- South of Lake Isabel to Rye, 2 mile evacuation from San Isabel
- From Lazy Acres to Bishops Castle on Hwy 165
- 12 Mile Road
- 3R Road to Crow Cutoff
- North Creek area from Central Road to the Custer County line
- portions of Colorado City
Parts of Colorado City are under an evacuation notice, parts remain under a pre-evacuation notice. That means folks should be ready to leave at a moment's notice. (This may not be the entire list.)
Evacuation centers are open at the following locations:
- St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center; 1650 Cooper Pl., Pueblo, CO 81006
- Lange Hall; Lange South 3rd Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252
- Pathfinder Regional Park; Colorado 115, Florence, CO 81226
There's also an online resource called the Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool.
Aspen Acres fire road closures
Road closures due to the Aspen Acres fire as of 7 a.m. on Thursday, July 2. Most recent information at COTrip.org.
