Aspen Acres Fire Explodes Across South-Central Colorado, Forcing Evacuations in Beulah and Rye

An explosive wildfire ignited in south-central Colorado on Monday, quickly spreading across thousands of acres and forcing evacuations in parts of Pueblo County.

The Aspen Acres Fire grew rapidly within 24 hours, burning through 22,827 acres in Pueblo and Custer counties by Tuesday morning, according to the Colorado Incident Management Team.

The fire added to a growing list of wildfires burning across Colorado this summer, as strong winds and dangerous fire conditions complicated efforts to slow the flames.

Beulah and Rye Ordered to Evacuate

The towns of Beulah and Rye in Pueblo County were evacuated on Monday and remained under mandatory evacuation orders Tuesday, according to local reports.

Authorities urged residents in affected areas to leave immediately and follow official evacuation guidance as the fire continued to move through the region.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said powerful winds were helping the wildfire spread and making firefighting operations more difficult.

Winds Up to 100 MPH Fuel Fire Growth

According to officials, winds of up to 100 mph were aiding the fire’s rapid expansion.

Those extreme gusts also made air support unavailable, limiting firefighting crews’ ability to attack the blaze from above.

The strong winds pushed smoke across the area and created dangerous, fast-changing conditions on the ground.

Smoke Covers the Sky Near Pueblo

Footage filmed from Pueblo showed a dramatic contrast in the sky as smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire spread across the region.

“View from Belmont in Pueblo. Clear blue skies to the north, apocalyptic smoke to the south,” X user @ZCReleford wrote while sharing video of the smoke-filled scene.

The footage showed thick smoke dominating the southern sky as the wildfire continued to burn through south-central Colorado.

Fire Crews Continue Response

Firefighters remained focused on protecting communities, managing evacuation zones and working against powerful winds that were driving the blaze.

The cause of the Aspen Acres Fire was not immediately clear from the information released.

As of Tuesday morning, the fire had already burned more than 22,000 acres, with mandatory evacuations still in place for Beulah and Rye.

Officials are expected to continue monitoring fire behavior closely as weather conditions remain a major concern.