Aspen Acres Fire Remains 72% Contained at 102,004 Acres as Flash Flood Risk Threatens Burn Scar

Description: The Aspen Acres Fire near Rye, Colorado, remains 102,004 acres and 72% contained as crews conduct suppression repair. Heavy rain raises the risk of flash flooding and debris flows across the burn scar...

Aspen Acres Fire Update – August 16, 2026

Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 7
Incident Commanders Matt Weakland and Joe Milligan (trainee)

Fire Information: (719) 697-8353
Operational Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Size: 102,004 acres | Containment: 72% | Cause: Human | Start Date: June 29, 2026
Location: 10 Miles NW of Rye, CO | Total Personnel: 147

KEY MESSAGES

The Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 7 continues steady suppression repair work, and public safety remains a top priority. Because of the nature of this work, the team urges the public to follow all Forest Service closures to prevent hazardous situations and keep both fire personnel and community members safe.

Suppression repair areas remain active work zones where heavy equipment, unstable ground, and shifting debris can create dangerous conditions without warning. Staying clear of crews, equipment, and closed sections of the forest helps protect you and the firefighters working to restore the landscape, ensuring everyone can continue this work safely.

With the increased number of thunderstorms, flooding is still the biggest concern in the burned area. Thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same areas, rain can quickly run off instead of soaking in. For the burn area heavy rain over a fresh burn scar is particularly concerning because it can cause rapid runoff, debris flows, and flooding.

CURRENT SITUATION

Current efforts are centered on suppression repair, with heavy equipment and crews restoring dozer lines no longer needed. Although recent storms have swept across the fire area, the footprint is so large that some sections received little to no measurable rain.

For public safety during ongoing equipment work and because portions of the fireline remain uncontained, a closure area is still in place on the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. All highways, however, remain open for the public.

WEATHER

Flash flooding remains a serious risk this evening as heavy rain and storms continue. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 8 p.m., with wind gusts up to 50 mph possible. More dangerous storms and even heavier rain are expected today.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS

A fire area closure remains in effect on the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, San Carlos Ranger District, except for 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/r02/psicc/alerts/aspen-acres-fire-area-closure

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that was in place over the fire area has now been removed.

AIR QUALITY

For daily air quality information, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Aspen Acres Fire Information

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspenAcresFire2026
Email: 2026.aspenacres@firenet.gov
Phone: (719) 697-8353 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

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