Wildfire Forces Mandatory Evacuations as Major Highways Close Over Holiday Weekend

I-25 Is The Escape Route, The Mountain Highways Are Closed

The fire is moving through the Wet Mountains west of Pueblo, and every mountain road out of the burn area runs east to Interstate 25. With those roads closed, I-25 is now the main evacuation route. Drivers near Pueblo should expect heavy traffic, emergency vehicles and smoke across the lanes.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office has kept mandatory evacuation orders in place for Beulah, Rye, Wetmore, San Isabel and now all of Colorado City west of I-25, which it issued as an immediate evacuation order relayed by the NWS Forecast Office Pueblo. Other parts of Colorado City remain under an evacuation warning, meaning residents should be packed and ready to leave at a moment's notice. Warning that shifting winds were making the fire unpredictable and fast-moving, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office told residents to "evacuate quickly."

A Fast, Wind-Driven Fire

The Aspen Acres Fire started June 29 and grew fast in record-low fuel moisture and days of red flag winds, with embers spotting up to a mile ahead of the flames. It has destroyed around 180 structures across Pueblo and Custer counties. More than 2,700 homes have been told to leave. A 650-person incident team from Alaska is now running the response, with engines arriving from California. Heavy smoke has settled over Pueblo, and the state issued an air quality advisory through Friday. There is some relief in the forecast, with winds expected to ease and a little moisture possible over the weekend.

What Drivers Should Do

• Check COtrip.org for live closures before driving anywhere near Pueblo or the Wet Mountains.
• If you are in an evacuation zone, leave now toward I-25 and do not wait for the situation to change.
• Expect smoke across I-25 and nearby roads, so slow down, turn on your headlights and set your climate system to recirculate.
• Give way to emergency vehicles and never drive toward the fire to look.
• Watch the air quality advisory and limit time outside in heavy smoke.

Aspen Acres is one of six large fires burning across Colorado this holiday weekend. Officials continue to update evacuation zones and closures, and drivers should check COtrip before traveling.

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