Residents of Fremont, Pueblo counties worry about threat from advancing Aspen Acres Fire
Scott Harrison
FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Highway 96 through Wetmore in Custer County is closed as part of the latest evacuation from the Aspen Acres Fire, but drivers hoping to reach Wetmore won’t make it that far.
A checkpoint is in place on Highway 67, several miles north of Wetmore, just south of Florence, in Fremont County, at the junction of County Road 15.
Northbound traffic on 67 is allowed, but southbound traffic is closed there.
The checkpoint is also only a few miles west of the Pueblo County line, and part of the fire appears to be spreading north toward southern Fremont County and western Pueblo County.
Residents of both counties began expressing concern on Wednesday as they watched wildfire smoke approaching, and even saw ashes falling.
Authorities said that winds shifted overnight, causing the fire to spread southeast and southwest, but expect winds to change again after sunrise and continue the fire’s northward advance.
Stay tuned to KRDO’s networks for updated wildfire coverage.