One of 40 Large Wildfires Burning Across the Western United States Forces Evacuations in Colorado City, Beulah, Rye and San Isabel as Red Flag Warnings Remain in Effect
According to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press, the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado has burned 272 square kilometres (105 square miles), destroyed more than 160 structures, and forced approximately 2,200 residents to evacuate their homes as of July 3, 2026.
The blaze exploded by 44 square kilometres overnight, with officials attributing the rapid spread to hot, dry conditions, record-low snowfall, and gusty winds; conditions experts have directly linked to intensifying climate change. Authorities ordered mandatory evacuations across Colorado City, Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel. Smoke has severely reduced visibility along Interstate 25, with some stretches dropping to just 0.8 kilometres, prompting travel advisories from emergency officials.
Around 50 Colorado National Guard soldiers were deployed to manage road checkpoints in Pueblo and Custer counties. Investigators confirmed the fire was human-caused, though no further details were released. The Aspen Acres blaze is one of approximately 40 large wildfires currently tearing through the western United States, including the Cottonwood Fire (380km²) and Babylon Fire (344km²) in Utah.
The fire came just days after three firefighters were killed battling blazes along the Colorado-Utah border; a grim reminder that the human cost of this wildfire season is not just measured in structures lost.
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