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Aspen Acres Fire Grows to 101,546 Acres as Crews Contain Spot Fires Near Rye


Description: The Aspen Acres Fire reached 101,546 acres and remains 61% contained as crews strengthen defensive lines and contain weather-driven fire growth near Rye...

Daily Update for the Aspen Acres Fire for 7/21

Location: 10 miles northwest of Rye, Colorado, in Custer and Pueblo Counties
Start Date: Reported  06/29/2026, around 6:00 a.m.
Cause: Human, under investigation
Official Acreage: 101,546 acres
Containment: 61%
Total Personnel: 1,256

KEY MESSAGE

As anticipated, firefighters experienced weather-driven fire growth on Monday amid near-critical fire conditions. Fire growth remained within indirect containment lines except for some small areas of “slop,” or areas where the fire crossed the primary containment line, that firefighters successfully contained. Resources moved from other areas of the fire to assist in the areas of high fire activity, and Very Large Air Tankers, or VLATs, were brought in for aerial support.

Firefighters worked to expand and strengthen the primary and secondary defensive line southwest of the San Isabel area in anticipation of future strategic burning operations. Ground operations, including dozers and hotshot crews, were supported by helicopter water drops along the Millset Trail containment line above Rye.

Aerial assets will continue to deliver water to the fire area and extinguish areas of heat above Rye, keeping the fire north and east of the primary control line. Throughout the fire area, ground resources continue to eliminate lingering hot spots, assisted by aerial firefighting operations and unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, which continue to support firefighters with reconnaissance footage and infrared imaging as conditions allow.

Night shift is patrolling, monitoring and responding to any fire activity close to the control lines, including containment and control of Monday’s spot fires along the southwest edge of the fire.

Heavy machinery and hand crews are working in tandem north of Round Top Mountain and the Mingus Ranch area to conduct post-suppression repair and reduce future erosion concerns. In the northern and eastern portions of the fire footprint, very little fire activity remains, and crews continue fence repair, mop-up, monitoring, patrolling and post-suppression repair to stabilize the landscape.

For public and firefighter safety, please stay out of active fire areas so firefighters and heavy equipment operators can continue work without added risk.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Tuesday will bring lower temperatures and higher humidity, accompanied by the potential for developing afternoon thunderstorms and accompanying outflow winds and erratic gusts to 30 mph. Expect to see decreased fire activity as cooler, moist air moves into the area through Friday. Fire behavior will be most influenced by terrain-driven wind where the slope and wind align.

AREA CLOSURE

There is an Aspen Acres Fire Area Closure for the San Carlos Ranger District. Visit:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/alerts/aspen-acres-fire-area-closure

Please monitor land-managing agencies for other fire restrictions. The National Forest lands are closed and are also in evacuation status.

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, in place above the fire area. Flying any aircraft within the TFR is prohibited. This includes the use of drones, or unmanned aerial systems.




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