Aspen Acres Fire — Latest News & Live Update
Custer County, CO
FireRisk.ai · Updated August 13, 2026
The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County, Colorado, remained stable on August 13 with no change in size or containment since the last report. The fire, discovered on June 29, has burned 102,004 acres and is now 72 percent contained, meaning crews have secured most of the perimeter and are in the final phase of line consolidation and mop-up operations.
A Type 3 Incident Commander is managing the response with 136 personnel assigned. The fire, caused by human activity, spread through timber, grass, and understory fuel. With containment holding steady at 72 percent and no additional acreage gained, the suppression effort has halted the fire's forward advance and is focused on strengthening control lines and reducing the risk of escape.
The Aspen Acres Fire stands in a controlled state with stable conditions as of August 13. Suppression work should continue to advance toward full containment as crews maintain and extend the secured perimeter. Residents should monitor local authorities and official emergency management channels for current evacuation orders, road closures, and fire-related updates.
FireRisk.ai covers active wildfire incidents and home fire risk using official NIFC, National Weather Service, and NASA FIRMS data. Briefings are generated automatically from verified official feeds and reviewed for accuracy.
Update timeline
The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County, Colorado, remained stable on August 13 with no change in size or containment since the last report. The fire, discovered on June 29, has burned 102,004 acres and is now 72 percent contained, meaning crews have secured most of the perimeter and are in the final phase of line consolidation and mop-up operations.
The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County, Colorado, remains stable at 102,004 acres with no growth since the last report. Discovered on June 29, crews have held containment at 72 percent, indicating the perimeter is nearing full control. The human-caused fire is burning primarily through timber with grass and understory fuel, which has made the terrain both difficult and slower to fully suppress at this scale.
The Aspen Acres Fire has grown 39 acres since the last report and now spans 102,004 acres in Custer County, Colorado. The human-caused fire, discovered on June 29, remains at 72 percent containment, holding steady as crews work to secure the remaining perimeter across timber and grassland fuel types.
The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County, Colorado, remains stable at 101,965 acres with containment holding at 72 percent, according to the latest interagency report. The fire was discovered on June 29 and has seen no change in size or containment progress since the last update. With crews holding and extending defensive lines across more than two-thirds of the perimeter, suppression efforts have moved into the consolidation phase of the campaign.
The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County, Colorado, remains stable at just over 102,000 acres with containment holding at 72 percent, according to the latest interagency report. Discovered on June 29, the human-caused fire has burned through timber, grass, and understory vegetation across the county. With no change in acreage or containment since the last update, crews appear to have halted the fire's advance while extending control lines.
The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County, Colorado, remains stationary at 101,965 acres with containment holding steady at 72 percent as of August 8. The fire, discovered June 29 and caused by human activity, has not grown or lost ground since the last operational report, signaling a period of equilibrium in firefighting efforts.
The Aspen Acres Fire, burning in Custer County, Colorado, has held steady at 101,965 acres with no change in size or containment since the last report. The fire remains 71% contained—a threshold indicating crews have achieved substantial control over the perimeter and are in the final phases of suppression work. The fire was human-caused and discovered on June 29, burning primarily through timber with grass and understory fuels that have sustained its spread across more than 100,000 acres since ignition.
The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County, Colorado has held steady at 101,961 acres with containment remaining at 68 percent as of August 6, more than a month after its discovery on June 29. With roughly two-thirds of the perimeter secured, crews are in the holding and extending phase, working to consolidate control across the remaining uncontained edges before full suppression.
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Aspen Acres Fire — current status questions
Is the Aspen Acres Fire contained?
As of August 13, 2026, the Aspen Acres Fire is 72% contained in Custer County, CO. Containment means that percentage of the fire's perimeter has been secured by crews — the fire can still burn inside those lines. The fire is nearing control, though full containment and mop-up operations continue. Follow your local fire authority for evacuation status.
How big is the Aspen Acres Fire?
As of August 13, 2026, the Aspen Acres Fire has burned 102,004 acres in Custer County, CO. Wildfire acreage is the estimated total area inside the fire perimeter — it is updated as aerial and ground crews assess the boundary and changes frequently on active fires. One acre is roughly the size of a football field; 159.4 square miles.
When did the Aspen Acres Fire start?
The Aspen Acres Fire was first reported on June 29, 2026 in Custer County, CO. The reported cause is human. The fire's discovery date is reported by the incident agency to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
What caused the Aspen Acres Fire?
According to NIFC reporting, the Aspen Acres Fire was caused by human. Cause determinations are made by trained fire investigators and may be updated as the investigation proceeds.
How many firefighters are working on the Aspen Acres Fire?
As of August 13, 2026, 136 total personnel are assigned to the Aspen Acres Fire according to NIFC. This figure includes all positions on the incident — engine crews, hand crews, dozers, aircraft, logistics, and incident management team members. Large fires typically involve resources from multiple agencies and can draw crews from across the country when local resources are stretched.
How much has the Aspen Acres Fire cost so far?
The estimated cost to suppress the Aspen Acres Fire is $100.1 million as of August 13, 2026, according to NIFC. Wildfire suppression costs include personnel, equipment, aircraft, and logistical support. Large fires often cost millions of dollars per day at peak operations, and total costs continue to accumulate until the fire is fully contained and crews demobilize.
Who is managing the Aspen Acres Fire response?
The Aspen Acres Fire is being managed by Type 3 IC. Wildfire incident management teams (IMTs) are classified by complexity (Type 1 being the most complex). They coordinate all suppression resources — crews, aircraft, equipment — and produce the official daily situation reports posted to InciWeb.
Wildfire questions — Aspen Acres Fire area
Answers apply to all active wildfires; specifics use Aspen Acres Fire data where available.
What does the containment percentage mean for the Aspen Acres Fire?
Containment percentage is the share of the fire's perimeter that crews have physically secured — typically by cutting a firebreak or reaching a natural barrier like a road or river. A fire at 40% contained means 40% of the edge has a line that crews are confident will hold; the remaining 60% is still open. The fire can continue burning inside those lines even at high containment. Full containment (100%) means the entire perimeter is secured, though the fire may still smolder inside for weeks during mop-up.
How is wildfire acreage measured?
Wildfire acreage is the estimated total area enclosed within the fire's perimeter, not just the actively burning area. Crews and aircraft sketch the perimeter using GPS tracks, aerial infrared flights (typically flown at night), and satellite imagery. Because mapping lags the actual fire edge by hours to days, reported acreage is always an estimate — especially on a fast-moving fire. One square mile equals 640 acres; compare the acreage figure to the map perimeter for a sense of scale.
Is the smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire dangerous to breathe?
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and other compounds that are harmful to breathe — especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with heart or lung conditions. When AQI (Air Quality Index) is in the "Unhealthy" range (151+), everyone should reduce outdoor activity. At "Very Unhealthy" (201+), stay indoors with windows closed, run an air purifier if you have one, and wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you must go outside. Check the air quality tab on this fire's page or airnow.gov for live AQI readings near you.
How far does smoke from a wildfire travel?
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds to thousands of miles depending on wind patterns and fire size. Smoke from large western U.S. fires has been recorded as far east as the Atlantic coast. At ground level, heavy smoke concentrations are typically within 50–150 miles of the fire, but air quality impacts can extend much further at altitude. Smoke dispersal depends heavily on upper-level wind direction, humidity, and whether the fire is producing a large smoke column. Check the live smoke map for current plume extent.
What is the difference between an evacuation order and an evacuation warning?
An evacuation order means leave immediately — conditions pose an immediate threat to life. You should not wait to gather belongings. An evacuation warning means be ready to leave at a moment's notice; conditions are threatening but not yet at the leave-now stage. Some jurisdictions use a three-tier system adding an "evacuation advisory" as the lowest level (monitor conditions). Zone designations (A, B, C or color-coded) indicate which areas are affected. Always follow the instructions of your local sheriff or fire authority — these designations can change within minutes as fire conditions shift.
How do I find out if my address is in an evacuation zone for the Aspen Acres Fire?
The most reliable sources are your county sheriff's office, local Office of Emergency Services, or state emergency management agency — they issue and update zone boundaries. Many counties now have online zone-lookup tools where you can type your address, and Genasys Protect (protect.genasys.com) covers much of the West. FireRisk.ai sweeps official evacuation feeds every 5 minutes and paints active zones on this fire's map where coverage exists. The evacuation tab on this fire's status page links to official county sources. If you're in a high-risk area and can't confirm your status, treat any warning as an order and leave.
What should I take if I have to evacuate because of the Aspen Acres Fire?
Prepare a go-bag in advance with: medications (a week's supply), important documents (ID, insurance cards, passports) or a USB with digital copies, phone charger and backup battery, cash, three days of clothes, water and non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and pet supplies if applicable. If you have time before leaving: take photos of your home and valuables for insurance purposes, close all windows and doors, move outdoor furniture inside, turn off gas, and leave exterior lights on so the home is visible in smoke. Don't wait until the last moment — roads become dangerously congested when orders are issued.
How do I sign up for free wildfire alerts near the Aspen Acres Fire?
Use the alert signup on this page to receive free email notifications when fires are reported near an address you choose, when Red Flag Warnings are issued for your area, or when a fire you're tracking significantly changes. You can also sign up for your county's emergency alert system (typically Wireless Emergency Alerts plus a county-specific opt-in) and follow your local sheriff on social media. No single source covers everything — use at least two.
Where can I find official updates directly from the Aspen Acres Fire incident team?
The incident management team publishes daily situation reports and operational updates to InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov) — the official federal wildfire incident information system. Look up the fire by name to find its dedicated incident page with press releases, closure maps, and contact information. Many incident teams also post to a dedicated Facebook page. Your county Office of Emergency Services is the primary source for evacuation and road closure information specific to your community.
How often is the data on this page updated?
The headline figures (acres, containment, personnel) are pulled live from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed each time this page loads. NIFC data is typically updated once or twice daily by incident agencies — usually in the morning after overnight aerial mapping. The written daily briefing is regenerated automatically every few hours. For the most time-sensitive information during an active incident, check InciWeb and your local county emergency management office, as official reports there often appear before NIFC data is refreshed.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfire damage?
Standard homeowners insurance (HO-3 policies) typically covers damage from wildfire under the "fire" peril, including the dwelling, other structures, and personal property. However, many insurers have been dropping coverage or non-renewing policies in high-risk California ZIP codes and other wildfire-prone areas. If your insurer dropped you, California's FAIR Plan (and similar state programs in other states) provides basic fire coverage as a last resort. After a wildfire, document all damage with photos before any cleanup, file your claim promptly, and keep receipts for additional living expenses — those are typically covered too. Check the policy's wildfire-specific exclusions and your coverage limits carefully.
How long does it take to fully contain a wildfire?
It depends almost entirely on size, terrain, fuel type, and weather. A small grass fire in flat terrain can be contained in hours. A large fire in steep, rugged terrain with dense chaparral or timber can take weeks or months — the 2020 August Complex in California took over two months and 1 million acres. Dry, windy conditions can undo days of progress overnight. Containment typically accelerates once temperatures drop and humidity rises. After full containment, mop-up operations (extinguishing hot spots, monitoring the perimeter) continue for weeks to prevent re-ignition.
What causes wildfires to spread rapidly?
The "fire triangle" of fuel, heat, and oxygen governs spread, but three conditions drive explosive growth: low relative humidity (below 15% makes fuels extremely receptive), high winds (spread flames ahead of the fire and loft embers — called spotting — that start new ignitions far ahead of the main fire), and steep terrain (fire races uphill because the slope pre-heats fuel above it). A fourth factor is drought-stressed or dead vegetation, which ignites and burns far more intensely than healthy plants. When all four conditions align — a dry spell, strong offshore or downslope wind event, cured grass or chaparral, and a spark — fires can grow from dozens to tens of thousands of acres in a single afternoon.
Aspen Acres Fire — incident details
- Discovered
- June 29, 2026
- Cause
- Human
- Primary fuel
- Timber (Grass and Understory)
- Managing organization
- Type 3 IC
- Personnel assigned
- 136
- Estimated cost to date
- $100.1M
- Protecting unit
- COCUX
- Landowner
- Private
- Incident ID (IRWIN)
- 2026-COCUX-001160
Source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed.
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Sources
All figures on this page are sourced directly from official U.S. government and agency feeds. No proprietary or estimated data is used without clear labeling.
- National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) — WFIGS ↗
Live fire size, containment, personnel, cost, cause, and incident boundaries
- InciWeb — Incident Information System ↗
Official incident management team updates, press releases, and evacuation notices
- National Weather Service (NWS) ↗
Red Flag Warnings, evacuation-level weather alerts, and fire-weather forecasts
- NASA FIRMS — Fire Information for Resource Management ↗
Satellite-detected active fire hotspots (VIIRS/MODIS)
- AirNow / EPA ↗
Air Quality Index (AQI) and smoke concentration near the incident
- Open-Meteo ↗
Fire-weather forecast (temperature, relative humidity, wind gusts) for the incident area
Headline figures are pulled live from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed and National Weather Service feed; the written briefing is generated automatically and is for awareness only — reported values lag real-time ground conditions. This is not an emergency service or official incident communication. In a wildfire emergency, call 911 and follow your local authorities and evacuation orders. Briefing last generated Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:01:08 GMT.