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Thousands forced to evacuate in Colorado as wildfire spreads
Al Jazeera • • nation
Key Points:
- The Aspen Acres Fire near Denver has rapidly expanded to 272 square kilometers, destroying over 160 structures and prompting evacuations of about 2,200 people in multiple Colorado communities due to strong winds and dry conditions.
- The fire is one of approximately 40 large wildfires burning across the western United States, fueled by months of dry weather, record-low snowfall, and climate change effects.
- Smoke from the fire has significantly reduced visibility along Interstate 25, and about 50 National Guard soldiers have been deployed to assist with road checkpoints and firefighting efforts, including water scooping from Pueblo Reservoir.
- Investigators have determined the Aspen Acres Fire was human-caused but have not released further details; other major fires in the region include the Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border and the Cottonwood and Babylon Fires in Utah.
- Due to extreme fire risks, several Fourth of July firework displays in Colorado have been cancelled, with fire restrictions and Red Flag Warnings in place; while wetter weather is expected to reduce fire danger, it may also increase flash flood risks in burned areas.
