Aspen Acres Fire Update: 101,965 Acres, 72% Contained as Flash Flood Risk Rises

Description: Aspen Acres Fire reaches 72% containment at 101,965 acres near Rye, Colorado. Crews focus on suppression repairs as thunderstorms raise flash flood risks...


Published: 34 minutes ago
Byline: SECO News

Aspen Acres Fire Update – August 9, 2026
 
Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 5
Incident Commanders Jon 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: 141
 
KEY MESSAGES
 
The Aspen Acres fire area has seen warmer conditions and increased wind over the fire's footprint this weekend. Crews continue working on suppression repair efforts removing berms, distributing slash, and constructing water bars to improve drainage and reduce erosion.
With recent mandatory and pre-evacuation orders lifted, residents and visitors have returned to the area. Forecasted thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the coming week are expected to elevate the risk of flash flooding, creating critical hazards for the public. In conjunction with the reopening of Highway 165, the public is reminded to stay on paved roads and follow posted signage of closed areas for theirs and firefighter safety.
 
CURRENT SITUATION
 
Suppression repair remains the primary focus, with heavy equipment being used to restore and repair firelines. Crews continue replacing fences damaged during the incident.
Near Lake Isabel, occasional interior smoke remains visible in areas where steep terrain prevented direct extinguishment strategies. Indirect containment lines and structure protection measures remain in place.
 
Heavy equipment operations continue across the fire area, including regrading ditches and chipping and grinding slash piles. Personnel are also conducting assessments to identify additional suppression repair needs.
 
WEATHER
 
Warmer and drier weather will persist across the Aspen Acres Fire area on Sunday, maintaining hot, unstable conditions. Thunderstorm potential remains high, with a better chance for widespread accumulating rain expected on Monday. Any storms that develop may produce lightning, gusty winds up to 40 mph, and locally heavy rainfall. High temperatures will once again reach the 90s in lower elevations, while higher terrain will warm to near 80 degrees.
 
CLOSURE AND EVACUATIONS
 
There is a Fire Area Closure on the U.S. Forest Service, 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 AM to 9:00 PM. 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
Phone: (719) 697-8353 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Email: Email 2026.aspenacres@firenet.gov


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