Custer County keeps Stage 3 restrictions as Aspen Acres Fire reaches 66%

Westcliffe-area residents and visitors remain affected by Custer County’s highest fire-restriction level as the Aspen Acres Fire was reported at 101,921 acres and 66% containment on July 27. The fire affects Custer and Pueblo counties, keeping outdoor burning, recreation and travel conditions important issues for people in and around Westcliffe.

The Custer County fire-information page continued to list Stage 3 fire restrictions as of July 28. The county’s Stage 3 definitions describe that level as the most severe restriction category, with strong limits on open-fire activity and the potential for public-land closures or other access controls depending on current conditions.

Containment is progress, not an all-clear

The 66% containment figure is an operational estimate of how much of the fire’s perimeter is being held or controlled. It does not mean the Aspen Acres Fire is fully extinguished, that all hazards have ended or that county restrictions have been lifted.

Denver7 reported that all evacuation orders had been lifted by July 25. That update does not necessarily mean every affected area has returned to normal. Pre-evacuation notices, re-entry requirements, road conditions, public-land access and local closures can change as agencies update maps and incident information.

For people in and around Westcliffe, the practical question is whether a specific road, recreation area or property is open under the latest official guidance. Residents should verify access conditions before traveling near affected areas and should not assume that a lifted evacuation order removes every restriction or risk.

Flooding and debris risks can continue

Burned landscapes can remain vulnerable after the main fire threat declines. Denver7 noted the possibility of flooding and debris flows in or below burn-scar areas during heavy rain. Those secondary hazards can affect roads, drainage areas and nearby properties even when fire containment improves.

That makes changing weather and emergency alerts relevant to Westcliffe-area residents beyond the immediate fire perimeter. Conditions may shift quickly, particularly during storms, and official maps or road notices should take priority over older reports or informal updates.

Where to check current information

Custer County’s fire-information resources provide county notices, emergency-alert links, maps, road-information resources and Aspen Acres hotline information. The county’s official website also directs residents to evacuation-support and emergency-management resources.

The Colorado Sun’s statewide wildfire tracker provides an independent status check on the fire’s footprint, while Colorado Public Radio’s KRCC reporting has documented the Custer County impact and Westcliffe-area re-entry context.

For now, the key takeaway is straightforward: containment has improved, but the Aspen Acres Fire remains a large active incident and Stage 3 restrictions remain listed in Custer County. Before burning, camping, entering public land or traveling near affected areas, residents and visitors should check the latest official county information.

Sources

• Custer County Fire Information page
• Denver7 Aspen Acres Fire status and evacuation update
• The Colorado Sun Colorado wildfire tracker