Aspen Acres Fire reaches 101,921 acres as recovery assessments continue

The Aspen Acres Fire was listed at 101,921 acres and 66% contained as of 8 a.m. Thursday, July 30, while state, county and federal teams conducted preliminary damage assessments in Pueblo and Custer counties. Colorado’s emergency operations center remained at Response Level 2 and Recovery Level 1, with the State Recovery Task Force activated.

Colorado’s July 30 State Emergency Operations Center update says fire size and containment are reported daily at 8 a.m. by the team managing the fire. It describes Response Level 2 as a fully activated State EOC with multiple state agencies and FEMA staff, and Recovery Level 1 as activation of the State Recovery Task Force, which began June 30.

A Recovery Assistance Center is listed at Beulah Heights Elementary, 2670 Delphinium St. in Pueblo. The center opened July 20 and is listed as operating noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The state update does not provide a closing date or a separate list of services. It directs survivors to damage and needs intake forms and to resources including Colorado 211, Crisis Cleanup, Airbnb.org transitional housing and disaster casework through Our Front Porch. Residents should confirm current program information with 211 or county emergency-management officials before traveling.

Preliminary damage assessments began July 29 and were scheduled to continue July 30. Pueblo and Custer county representatives, the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Colorado 211 are verifying damage to public infrastructure and primary homes, along with emergency protective measures, insurance coverage and local economic impacts. The records reviewed do not show that the assessments were completed or that a major-disaster declaration had been made. The verified information will help determine whether the governor requests a FEMA declaration and which assistance categories or areas might qualify.

Sheep Head Fire emergency response

Colorado added the Sheep Head Fire near Walsenburg to the state’s wildfire emergency response July 29 and moved $1.26 million into the Disaster Emergency Fund. Executive Order D 2026 010, signed by Gov. Jared Polis, memorializes emergency actions that began June 30 for the fire, which started June 29. The order says the fire had burned 1,322 acres and was 100% contained as of July 21.

The order authorizes unarmed Colorado National Guard members to assist with suppression and response and covers consequence management, mitigation and recovery. It transfers $1.26 million from the State Emergency Reserve Cash Fund because the Disaster Emergency Fund lacked sufficient money, and encumbers the money for fire-related expenses for up to 72 months. The order states that the emergency would expire 30 days after June 30 unless extended.

A separate July 24 executive order extends the emergency for the Snyder, Gold Mountain, Willow and Aspen Acres fires for 30 days and authorizes unarmed Guard members to support operations. It transfers $103.8 million to the Disaster Emergency Fund and encumbers $265.8 million for suppression, response, consequence management, mitigation and recovery. The order says FEMA approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for Gold Mountain, Willow and Aspen Acres.