Aspen Acres Fire 72% Contained; All Evacuation Zones Cleared, Highways 165 and 78 Reopen

Description: Aspen Acres Fire reaches 72% containment at 101,965 acres near Rye, Colorado. All evacuation zones are cleared, and Highways 165 and 78 have reopened...


Published: 7 hours ago
Byline: SECO News

Aspen Acres Fire Update – August 8, 2026
 
Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 5
Incident Commanders Jonathan Warder and Justin McArthur (trainee)
 
Fire Information: 719-697-8353 Operational Hours: 8am-8pm
Size: 101,965 acres | Containment: 72% | Cause: Human | Start Date: June 29, 2026
Location: 10 Miles NW of Rye, CO | Total Personnel: 168
 
KEY MESSAGES
 
The pre-evacuation status of Zones C-1, C-2, and FS-5 are cleared as of 7 PM on August 7, 2026. With this update, all evacuation zones within the Aspen Acres Fire perimeter have been cleared.
 
Colorado State Highways 165 and 78 are now open. The surrounding National Forest remains closed under Forest Order #02-12-03-26-32. Drivers should be prepared for possible future intermittent road closures, as rainfall on the burn scar can quickly trigger flash floods and debris flows. Drivers are not allowed off of Highway 165 onto Forest roads to ensure public safety due to continuing repair actions.
 
Today at 8:00am, the Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 5, led by Jon Warder, took command. To support a smooth transition, several members of the outgoing leadership are remaining with the incoming team.
Smoke is likely to be evident in the Lake Isabel area.
 
CURRENT SITUATION
 
Firefighters and the prior rain received enabled additional containment to be claimed on the western perimeter, increasing containment to 72%. Suppression repair remains the focus with heavy equipment accomplishing fireline repair. Along Forest Road 365, crews estimate less than a week of work remains to finish contingency line construction.
 
The community should expect to see continued smoke, particularly near Lake Isabel, as the fire edge was too unsafe for crews to access directly, but indirect firelines and structure protection remain in place for use if needed. Additional rain is anticipated next week to moderate fire behavior along the uncontained edge.
 
Heavy equipment operations are actively underway, with crews regrading ditches, chipping, and grinding slash piles. Personnel continue to survey the fire area to identify additional suppression repair needs. Near the Millset Trailhead (Trail #1317), crews expect to complete repair of the handline today. Fire personnel are also finishing repair work on damaged fences.
 
WEATHER
 
Hot, dry, and unstable weather will continue through the weekend, bringing cloud buildup and a chance of thunderstorms. Storms may produce lightning and wind gusts up to 40 mph, but limited moisture means most of any rainfall will evaporate before reaching the ground, resulting in virga. Expect poor overnight humidity recovery, afternoon humidity dropping to 10–15%, and highs in the 90s at lower elevations and near 80 in higher terrain.
 
CLOSURE AND EVACUATIONS
 
There is a Fire Area Closure on the U.S. Forest Service, Pike-San Isabel National, San Carlos Ranger District with the exception of the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness which is open and accessible only through the Bartlett and Greenhorn trailheads out of Rye. Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../aspen-acres-fire-area-closure.
 
There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire area, covering a 7‑nautical‑mile radius. It is active during daytime hours only, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. This restriction applies to all aircraft, including drones and other unmanned aerial systems.
Pre-evacuation status of Zones C-1, C-2, and FS-5 are cleared. 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 For 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: Email 2026.aspenacres@firenet.gov
 


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