Aspen Acres Fire

On a return trip to Spanish Peaks Wilderness we knew we would be passing Colorado's largest wildfire - the Aspen Acres Fire burning roughly southwest of Pueblo,CO. We did pass the fire but continued on. As we neared the Spanish Peaks it was obvious that we weren't outdistancing the smoke as it was still prevalent. The smoke covers probably hundreds of miles in all directions. A change of plans had us basically heading back towards the fire but this time we stopped for a few hours just see the real life intensity of a Colorado wildfire.

The best vantage point is Colorado City, CO which is just outside the mandatory evacuation area. This is near the southern forward fire line and from a distance showed just how big the fire was. Massive plumes of smoke, fire exploding into the sky as it most likely reached homes noticeable by the thick almost black smoke. There were quite a few helicopters and planes dropping fire retardant and water. This was as good a place as any to photographe what was going on but we were able to travel down a few gravel roads close by for another angle of the most active area.

The instinct of a photographer is to take photos of important events like this but while there, I often thought about the destruction, the huge impact to the wildlife who have no idea what is going on or where to go. Just imagine the chaos and then imagine not understanding, not knowing what is happening. They simply run and do their best to escape this powerful unknown force thrust upon them - a quiet tragedy. The arrival of so many newborns this season makes the landscape feel both full and, somehow, fragile. The timing is difficult to witness. You catch glimpses of life trying to persist, often in the quietest ways.

The good news is that, as of today, containment is 12% which means, at least, some progress has been made relative a couple days prior. The current Aspen Acres fire has burned 91,523 acres, 180 structures including 55 homes - the eighth largest fire by acreage in Colorado's history. To add clarity - it covers 143 square miles! For more up-to-date info see Watch Duty which provides almost realtime infomation about fires you what to track.