Overview
- The wildfire that ignited Monday near Highway 165 has grown to about 28,314 acres and remains 0% contained, according to county authorities.
- Mandatory evacuations are in place for Beulah, Rye, San Isabel and surrounding neighborhoods and Highway 165 remains closed while shelters for people and animals operate.
- Officials report at least 55 homes destroyed in Custer County and more than 100 structures lost in Pueblo County, and investigators say the blaze is likely human-caused with a preliminary DFPC damage estimate reported.
- Strong gusty winds and critically low humidity repeatedly grounded aircraft and limited aerial firefighting, forcing crews to rely on ground tactics while they try to slow the fire’s spread.
- Thick smoke has degraded air quality as far as Colorado Springs, emergency managers have opened donation and shelter services, and the fire adds strain to multiple large wildfires burning across Colorado.