Live Colorado Fire Map & Tracker

Overview

Colorado is at National Preparedness Level 5 of 5, with 10 active wildfires burning 156,257 acres across the state as of August 8, 2026. The largest, Aspen Acres Fire near Beulah in Custer County, has grown to 101,965 acres and is 72% contained with 168 personnel assigned. Current conditions near the largest fire show temperatures near 78°F, relative humidity around 15%, and wind gusts to 18 mph, with a three-day forecast trending toward similar conditions—highs near 79°F, minimum humidity around 15%, and wind gusts up to 24 mph. A total of 796 personnel are deployed across all active fires.

Current Situation

Ten fires are burning across Colorado, including eight tracked by NIFC with reported acreage. The Aspen Acres Fire, the dominant incident, is approaching three-quarter containment as crews hold perimeter in Custer County. The Elk Fire near Lake City in Hinsdale County remains in early suppression at 39% contained with 104 personnel, while Rio Blanco Fire near Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County has drawn the highest personnel count at 316 personnel despite being the fifth-largest fire. Three smaller fires—Finley Canyon in Montezuma County, Indian Creek in Jackson County, and Snipe in Mesa County—remain in early detection with containment status not yet reported.

Key Fires

Weather & Wind Warnings

Current conditions near the Aspen Acres Fire show temperatures near 78°F, relative humidity around 15%, and wind around 8 mph with gusts to 18 mph. Over the next three days, the National Weather Service forecasts highs near 79°F, minimum relative humidity around 15%, and wind gusts up to 24 mph, maintaining the dry and breezy pattern without any active Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watches in effect.

Air Quality

Air quality near the Aspen Acres Fire is rated Moderate (AQI 69) with PM2.5 as the primary pollutant, according to AirNow.

Recommendations

PUBLIC AWARENESS: Residents in evacuation zones, particularly near Lake City and the Elk Fire, should monitor alerts from local emergency management, have a go-bag prepared, and review evacuation routes now. Sign up for emergency notification systems, harden your home against ember intrusion, and follow all Stage 1/2 fire restrictions if they are in place in your area. Observe the FAA 'No Drone Zone' near active wildfires to avoid interference with aerial firefighting operations. RESOURCE ALLOCATION: With 796 personnel deployed statewide and the state at Preparedness Level 5, fire resources are fully committed; communities in pre-evacuation or evacuation status should be prepared for rapid changes in fire behavior given the sustained dry and breezy forecast over the next three days.

Resources

• National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
• Colorado DHSEM: dhsem.colorado.gov/
• InciWeb Incident Information System: inciweb.wildfire.gov
• AirNow Air Quality: www.airnow.gov
• Watch Duty (real-time fire updates): www.watchduty.org