Raging Colorado wildfire doubles in size, becomes the 'number one' fire priority in the US
A dry winter across the Intermountain West has helped lay the foundation for the current wildfire threat. Much of the Rockies received less than 25% of their average snowfall this past season.
Watch: Aspen Acres Fire rages across southern Colorado
The Aspen Acres Fire rages across southern Colorado.
PUEBLO, Colo. — A destructive wildfire burning across southern Colorado nearly doubled in size Wednesday and is now the nation's "number one" fire priority, according to Phil Daniels, the incident commander with the state's Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
The Aspen Acres Fire broke out Monday across Pueblo and Custer counties, ballooning to over 47,950 acres after destroying at least 180 buildings and injuring a firefighter, as the entire Four Corners region grapples with dangerous fire weather conditions.
3 FIREFIGHTERS KILLED, 2 INJURED AS LARGE WILDFIRES SCORCH MORE THAN 200K ACRES IN UTAH AND COLORADO
Aspen Acres fire burns across Pueblo and Custer counties in Colorado.
(Aspen Acres Fire 2026/Facebook / FOX Weather)
Local sheriffs said more homes and buildings could be destroyed after the wind direction prevented officials from conducting an updated assessment Wednesday.
The fire is now one of five major wildfires burning in Colorado, forcing the state to bring in firefighting resources from Alaska and Tennessee as crews are stretched to the limit, Daniels said.
Mandatory evacuations expanded Wednesday are in effect for multiple towns in the area, including Beulah, Rye and San Isabel.
Officials emphasized that people are not being let back into evacuated zones.
The sale of fireworks is also prohibited in Pueblo County.
Wildfires have scorched over 250,000 acres across both Colorado and Utah after several weeks of strong winds mixed with extremely dry conditions have created dangerous wildfire conditions.
(FOX Weather)
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings remain through Thursday across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
A dry winter across the Intermountain West has helped lay the foundation for the current wildfire threat. Much of the Rockies received less than 25% of their average snowfall this past season.
Check back for updates on this developing story.