New evacuations for Aspen Acres Fire could increase the need for help in Pueblo, Custer counties
Scott Harrison
PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Authorities announced new evacuations and pre-evacuations for neighbors in the path of the Aspen Acres Fire, now in its third day of straddling the Pueblo/Custer County lines.
Residents of the Red Creek Ranches area in Pueblo County were ordered to leave immediately.
At around the same time, officials placed the Wetmore community of Custer County in a pre-evacuation status — meaning residents should be ready to flee at a moment’s notice.
Some of the evacuees could add to the total already staying at the Pueblo County Recreation Center, where a Red Cross evacuation shelter is operating.
Dave Duran, the shelter’s director, said that approximately 20 evacuees are currently staying there as of noon Wednesday, with some only eating there while staying elsewhere.
Duran responded to a Facebook post from the Aspen Acres Campground, which reads that authorities told the staff it’ll take several weeks to reach full containment on the fire.
“We’re dealing with people who have been evacuated — which is some people from those areas, and right around there,” he said. “And if the people who have been evacuated need a place to stay, we’re gonna figure that out. We can easily provide more beds, and at the moment we have all the staff, food, and volunteers we need.”
The shelter offers three meals daily and provides a nearby animal shelter where evacuees can keep and visit their pets.
One of the shelter visitors is John Clay, 74, who evacuated from his home in Beulah.
“This is the fourth time I’ve evacuated because of a wildfire,” he said. “As far as I know, my house is still there. We have quite a network in Beulah. It’s always reliable, so you cross-reference. I think it could go from 50 to 75 houses destroyed.”
Clay said that he’s concerned about the fire destroying the homes of people who work remotely or rent their homes as Airbnbs.
For a list of other shelters and help resources, visit: https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2026/06/29/aspen-acre-fire-evacuations/.