Aspen Acres Fire Grows to 102,004 Acres, Remains 72% Contained Near Rye, Colorado

Description: The Aspen Acres Fire reached 102,004 acres and remains 72% contained near Rye, Colorado. Crews are cooling hot spots near Lake Isabel as monsoonal moisture arrives...


Published: 2 hours ago
Byline: SECO News

Aspen Acres Fire Update – August 11, 2026
 
Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 5
Incident Commanders Jon Warder and Justin McArthur (trainee)
 
Fire Information: 719-697-8353 Operational Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Size: 102,004 acres | Containment: 72% | Cause: Human | Start Date: June 29, 2026
Location: 10 Miles NW of Rye, CO | Total Personnel: 145
 
KEY MESSAGES
 
The Aspen Acres Fire experienced active weather over the incident yesterday, bringing gusty winds and light showers. The west end of the fire received approximately 0.07 inches of rain, while the northern and southern areas saw 0.03 inches of rain. In Beulah, maximum wind speeds reached 37 mph.
 
Small pockets of fire activity continue along the southwest portion of the fire. Aviation resources conducted bucket-drop operations to cool hot spots to prevent a fire run toward structures in the Lake Isabel area. Forecast moisture over the next several days should help limit fire spread.
 
On the west side of the incident, heavy equipment and chippers are engaged in suppression repair, processing debris, and supporting broader restoration work across the fire area. Crews are improving and repairing suppression dozer lines, while excavators in the southwest are repairing irrigation ditches impacted by suppression activities. In several areas, equipment is being used to spread and redistribute material from slash piles.
 
CURRENT SITUATION
 
Smoke continues to linger near Lake Isabel, particularly in rugged areas where steep terrain has restricted direct firefighting access. To support fire management objectives, indirect containment features and structure protection measures remain in place, while aviation operations are being employed to help reduce fire movement along the remaining uncontained perimeter as forecasted precipitation arrives.
 
Across the incident, fire suppression repairs are taking place. Heavy equipment is engaged in repairing firelines, and crews are partnering with landowners to restore fencing impacted by fire suppression activities. Barring significant weather delays, fire suppression repair activities are expected to continue for approximately two weeks.
 
WEATHER
 
Higher humidity levels will continue to filter into the area ahead of a stronger influx of monsoonal moisture expected to arrive Wednesday and persist through the weekend. While Tuesday may bring only isolated, light showers, conditions are forecast to become wetter beginning Wednesday, with thunderstorms capable of producing between a quarter and half an inch of rainfall. Temperatures will also trend downward throughout the week, with daytime highs cooling by as much as 15 degrees from Monday to Friday.
 
CLOSURE AND EVACUATIONS
 
A Fire Area Closure remains in effect on the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, 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, which was reduced today to cover a 5 nautical mile radius centered on the southwest corner of the fire. It is active during daytime hours only, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This restriction applies to all aircraft, including drones and other unmanned aerial systems.
 
AIR QUALITY For daily air quality information, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.
 
Aspen Acres Fire Information:
Email: 2026.aspenacres@firenet.gov
Phone: (719) 697-8353 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
 


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