Tag: mountain communities

From Fire to Floodwaters: Beulah’s Long Road to Recovery

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant1 Comment

There is encouraging news in the battle against the Aspen Acres Fire. The fire has burned approximately 102,000 acres and is 72 percent contained. The August 10 briefing listed 133 personnel assigned to the incident. The fire was human-caused, although the exact cause remains under investigation.

All evacuation and pre-evacuation orders have now been lifted. Colorado Highways 78 and 165 have reopened, allowing families and visitors to return to the area. However, portions of the Pike–San Isabel National Forest remain closed, and drivers must stay on paved roads and obey all closure signs.

Firefighters continue repairing containment lines, restoring drainage, replacing damaged fencing and reducing erosion. Smoke may still be visible near Lake Isabel, where steep terrain has prevented crews from reaching portions of the fire directly. Indirect firelines and structure-protection measures remain in place.

Although the immediate fire danger has decreased, Beulah now faces another serious threat: flash flooding and debris flows across the burn scar. Recent storms have already sent mud, water and debris across roads and properties. Residents have worked together to fill sandbags and protect homes, but many say they urgently need concrete barriers, heavy equipment and additional government assistance.

The National Weather Service expects monsoon moisture and heavier thunderstorms to increase beginning Wednesday, with the greatest flash-flood concern expected Thursday and Friday. Anyone near the burn scar should closely monitor official warnings and avoid flooded roads, creeks and low-water crossings.

The recovery will take months and for many families, years. A Recovery Assistance Center remains available at Beulah Heights Elementary School, 2670 Delphinium Street in Pueblo, for residents of Pueblo and Custer counties affected by the disaster. Current recovery information is posted on the

Beulah has survived the flames, but its struggle is not over. Even while surrounded by burn scars, damaged roads and heartbreaking loss, neighbors continue helping neighbors. The strength of this mountain community remains unmistakable: Beulah Strong.

Works Cited

Bartonek, Damien. “Beulah Residents Seek More Resources as Aspen Acres Fire Burn Scar Raises Flooding Concerns.” KKTV, 9 Aug. 2026, https://www.kktv.com/2026/08/10/beulah-residents-seek-more-resources-aspen-acres-fire-burn-scar-raises-flooding-concerns/. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

National Weather Service. “Area Forecast Discussion.” National Weather Service Pueblo, 11 Aug. 2026, https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=PUB&product=AFD&site=pub. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Pueblo County. “Pueblo Emergency Status Board.” Pueblo Emergency Status Board, https://puebloemergency.info/. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

SECO News. “Aspen Acres Fire 72% Contained; All Evacuation Zones Cleared, Highways 165 and 78 Reopen.” SECO News, 8 Aug. 2026, https://seconews.org/article/9457. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

SECO News. “Aspen Acres Fire Update: 72% Contained at 101,965 Acres Near Rye, Colorado.” SECO News, 10 Aug. 2026, https://seconews.org/article/9466. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

After the Fire, the Flood: Beulah’s Long Road to Recovery

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

The Aspen Acres Fire is still part of Beulah’s story, even as the emergency has shifted from active evacuation to recovery. As of the latest Pueblo County update, the fire is reported at 101,921 acres with 67% containment. The Joint Information Center has now closed, and residents are being directed to the Recovery Assistance Center at Beulah Heights Elementary School for help with recovery resources, cleanup guidance, assistance programs, and support.

While the fire itself is more contained, the danger is not over. The burn scar has created a new threat: flash flooding and debris flows. Heavy rain over burned ground can rush downhill quickly, carrying mud, ash, rocks, and debris into roads, driveways, creeks, and low areas. On July 28, heavy rain over the Aspen Acres burn scar caused flooding near Beulah Valley, including debris flow near Northcreek, Northcreek Cutoff, South Pine Drive, and Mountain Park. Officials urged people to get to higher ground and warned drivers not to attempt to cross flooded roads.

The following evening, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for the northern and central part of the Aspen Acres burn scar, including Beulah. Emergency managers reported heavy debris flow coming down 12 Mile and Highway 78, and the warning included Beulah, San Isabel, and Wetmore.

As of today, the National Weather Service continues to warn that showers and thunderstorms are possible over the Aspen Acres burn scar. If a strong storm develops, flash flooding could occur, especially over the central part of the burn scar. There is also an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke across much of Colorado, including Pueblo, Custer, Fremont, and Huerfano counties.

For Beulah, Pueblo Mountain Park, Rye, San Isabel, Wetmore, and the surrounding mountain communities, recovery now means watching both the sky and the hillsides. The flames may be more contained, but the scars left behind can still move with the rain.

May the rain come gently.
May the roads stay safe.
May families recovering from loss be protected.
May the firefighters and emergency crews continue to be strengthened.
And may Beulah keep rising, one careful step at a time.

Colorado strong ❤️

Monetary Donations: Can be sent to the United Way Southern Colorado.

Works Cited

Filangi, Shelby. “Heavy Rain Causes Flash Flood in Aspen Acres Burn Scar.” Colorado Public Radio, 28 July 2026.

Heaney, Briana. “Roads Washed Out and Residents Evacuated as Flash Flooding Continues on Aspen Acres Burn Scar.” Colorado Public Radio, 30 July 2026.

National Weather Service Pueblo, CO. “Flash Flood Watch for the Aspen Acres Burn Scar.” National Weather Service, 23 July 2026.

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. “Aspen Acres Fire Recovery Resources.” Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, 2026.

Sintas, Tyson, Aspen Andrews, Bryce Patterson, Aaron Vitatoe, and Lindsey Grewe. “‘Aspen Acres Fire’ Remains at Nearly 102k Acres, Now 71% Contained.” KKTV 11 News, 29 June 2026, updated 4 Aug. 2026.

From Ashes to Home: Beulah, Pueblo Mountain Park, and the Long Road Back

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Beulah and Aspen Acres Fire Update

There is finally more hopeful news for Beulah and the communities affected by the Aspen Acres Fire, though the road ahead is still long. As of the latest Sunday morning update, the fire has crossed the 100,000-acre mark and is reported at 100,224 acres with 61% containment, a major improvement from the 48% reported earlier. More than 1,600 firefighters and support personnel remain assigned to the fire.

Beulah has reopened, and residents no longer need re-entry cards to return, though officials are asking people who do not need to be there to give the community space as recovery begins. Many families are returning to homes, smoke damage, spoiled food, unsafe trees, ash, and the heartbreaking reality of what has been lost. For others, there is no home to return to. KOAA’s latest roundup reported more than 850 structures lost, including hundreds of homes across Pueblo and Custer counties.

Even with the progress, many families are still displaced. Officials reported that thousands of people have been driven from their homes by this fire, and although phased re-entry continues in Pueblo and Custer counties, many residents near Rye are still waiting to return. Firefighters remain especially focused on the west and southwest sides of the fire, where crews are working to keep the flames from spreading toward Rye and San Isabel.

Evacuation conditions continue to change. Huerfano County has eased the evacuation order in the Libre area, moving residents there to pre-evacuation status, but other areas remain under evacuation or restricted access. Officials continue to urge residents to follow county guidance and check official evacuation maps before returning.

The fire is not over, but this update brings some much-needed hope. Containment has increased, more families are beginning the difficult journey home, and firefighters continue to work around the clock to protect Rye, San Isabel, Beulah, and the surrounding mountain communities.

The Loss at Pueblo Mountain Park

One of the most heartbreaking losses for many of us is the damage to beloved Pueblo Mountain Park. Tucked into Beulah Valley about 30 miles west of Pueblo, the park has long been a peaceful mountain refuge for hiking, wildlife watching, family gatherings, retreats, weddings, school trips, and quiet days under the pines.

Pueblo Mountain Park has been part of Southern Colorado’s story for more than a century. The City of Pueblo purchased roughly 600 acres near Beulah to create the park, and later Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Work Projects Administration (WPA) crews helped build many of the historic features people came to love, including the Horseshoe Lodge, pavilion, and stonework throughout the park.

Sadly, officials and local reporting confirmed that the historic Horseshoe Lodge burned in the Aspen Acres Fire. For generations, that lodge was more than a building. It was a gathering place, a retreat center, a memory keeper, and part of the heart of the mountain park.

The loss of Pueblo Mountain Park is difficult to put into words. So many people found peace there among the trees, trails, wildflowers, birds, and quiet mountain air. Like Beulah itself, the park held memories for families across Southern Colorado. Its loss is not just physical; it is emotional, historical, and deeply personal.

Still, I believe places like this carry a spirit that fire cannot fully take. The trails, the land, the memories, and the people who love Pueblo Mountain Park will remain part of Beulah’s story. In time, I pray there will be healing, restoration, and a way for this treasured place to welcome people back again.

Tonight, my prayers remain with every family displaced by this fire, every person returning to loss, every firefighter on the line, and every neighbor helping another neighbor through the ashes.

May the winds stay calm.
May the firefighters be protected.
May the families still waiting be brought home safely.
May those who lost so much be surrounded with love.
And may Beulah and all of Southern Colorado rise again, strong and steady.

Colorado strong ❤️

Monetary Donations: Can be sent to the United Way Southern Colorado.

Works Cited

Benzel, Lance. “Aspen Acres Fire Surpasses 100,000 Acres as Crews Increase Containment to

More than 60%.” The Colorado Sun, 18 July 2026.

Chalfin, Andrea, and Briana Heaney. “Aspen Acres Fire: Evacuation Notices Expand as Fire

Grows to More than 50,000 Acres.” Colorado Public Radio, 2 July 2026.

“Pueblo Mountain Park.” City of Pueblo, Pueblo County Historical Society and State Historical

Fund.

“Pueblo Mountain Park Marks 100 Years.” Colorado Public Radio, 15 January 2020.

Sintas, Tyson, Aspen Andrews, Bryce Patterson, Aaron Vitatoe, and Lindsey Grewe. “‘Aspen

Acres Fire’ Holds Steady at Just over 100K Acres, 61 Percent Containment as More Evacuees

Allowed Home.” KKTV 11 News, 29 June 2026, updated 18 July 2026.

Aspen Fire Update: A Step Toward Home

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant3 Comments

There is finally some hopeful news in the middle of this long and heartbreaking fire. As of Monday morning, July 13, the Aspen Acres Fire has burned 98,609 acres and is now 36% contained, with 1,915 personnel working the fire. Firefighters continue to strengthen containment lines, put out hot spots, and protect the communities still in harm’s way.

The biggest news is that phased re-entry is beginning for many Beulah residents. Those allowed to return must have a re-entry card or photo ID with proof of residency, and officials continue to remind everyone to check the evacuation map and follow all local instructions before heading back. Even for those returning, this is not a simple homecoming. Many will be going back to smoke, ash, damage, uncertainty, and the painful first look at what the fire has taken.

Some evacuation areas have been downgraded to pre-evacuation, including Colorado City, Signal Mountain, 3R Road, and several areas near Lake Beckwith and Highway 165. Fremont County has also moved all evacuation areas there to pre-evacuation status, but officials warn that conditions can still change quickly because this remains an active fire.

Beulah, Rye, San Isabel, parts of Wetmore, Aspen Acres, South Pine Drive, North Creek, Lazy Acres, Bishop’s Castle, and other affected areas are still listed under evacuation, so residents should not return unless they are officially cleared. Rye residents, in particular, are being asked to wait longer before returning.

The losses are still difficult to comprehend. Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District confirmed the loss of 193 primary residences, and officials have reported hundreds of homes and structures lost across Pueblo and Custer counties. Behind every number is someone’s home, their photographs, their porches, their barns, and the quiet pieces of daily life that cannot be replaced.

Still, today brings a small step toward home. Not an end to the fire. Not an end to the grief. But a step. And for a community that has waited, worried, prayed, and watched the smoke rise over the mountains, that step matters.

Today, I am praying for every family returning home, every family who has no home to return to, every firefighter still on the line, and every animal and neighbor affected by this fire.

May the winds stay calm.
May the rain come gently.
May the firefighters be protected.
May those returning home find strength for what waits ahead.
And may Beulah rise again, held by the love of all who call her home.

Colorado strong ❤️

Monetary Donations: Can be sent to the United Way Southern Colorado.

Works Cited

Hulting, Aidan, Ashleigh Quintana, and James Gavato. “More Evacuations Downgraded to Pre-

Evacs, Aspen Acres Fire 36% Contained.” KOAA News5, 13 July 2026.

Villegas, Andrew. “Aspen Acres Fire: Officials Prepare to Let Beulah Residents Return as Fire

Growth Slows.” Colorado Public Radio, 12 July 2026.

Aspen Fire Update: The Long Road Ahead

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant5 Comments

The Aspen Acres Fire remains a heartbreaking and active situation for Beulah and the surrounding Southern Colorado communities. As of Thursday morning, the fire was mapped at 96,121 acres with 14% containment, and 1,831 personnel were assigned to the incident. Officials say the latest numbers come from the Aspen Acres Fire 2026 page managed by emergency teams.

There has been some hopeful news. Rain, humidity, and cooler temperatures gave firefighters a much-needed break from the intense fire activity, but officials made it clear that the moisture was not enough to put the fire out. Crews are still working hard, and they are also being cautious because mud and slide risks can make overnight work more dangerous.

Fire officials have also reminded people that contained does not mean out. Even if the fire reaches full containment in the coming weeks, smoke and heat may remain inside the burn area for months, and some remote places could continue to hold heat into winter. This will be a long road for Beulah, Rye, San Isabel, Wetmore, Colorado City, Florence-area communities, and all the families waiting to return home.

The damage is devastating. Officials have reported at least 275 homes lost in Pueblo and Custer counties, and the Beulah Fire Chief reported that 193 primary residences in Beulah alone were burned. Crews are also working to remove dangerous trees before residents can safely return.

There is some movement on evacuations. Rockvale, Coal Creek, and Williamsburg have been downgraded from evacuation orders to pre-evacuation status, but areas including Fremont County Roads 15, 100, and 103, Newlin Ridge Road, Los Pinos subdivision, and Lock Mountain Estates remain under evacuation orders. A mandatory curfew is still in place for impacted areas from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Tonight, my heart is with every family waiting for news, every firefighter on the line, every animal displaced, and every neighbor grieving what has been lost. Beulah has always been a place of peace, beauty, and community. Now, more than ever, may that same strong mountain spirit carry her people through.

May the winds stay calm.
May the rain come gently.
May the firefighters be protected.
May families be comforted.
And may Beulah rise again, one act of kindness at a time.

Colorado strong ❤️

Monetary Donations: Can be sent to the United Way Southern Colorado.

A Prayer for Colorado

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

Colorado is hurting today. Across our beautiful state, wildfires have burned nearly 127,000 acres, leaving smoke in the air, fear in many hearts, and entire communities waiting for word about homes, land, animals, and loved ones. The Aspen Acres Fire has become the largest active fire in the state, burning over 50,000 acres with no containment reported, and mandatory evacuations remain in place for Beulah, Rye, San Isabel, Wetmore, and parts of Colorado City. At least 180 structures have been lost, and officials expect that number may rise as crews are able to safely assess the damage.

My heart is especially with the small mountain communities that have been forced to leave behind the places they love. Beulah, Rye, Wetmore, Colorado City, San Isabel, and the surrounding areas are more than names on a map. They are homes, memories, family places, quiet roads, mountain views, pastures, wildlife, and neighbors who look out for one another.

Today, I am praying for every person who has been evacuated, every family waiting for answers, and every heart grieving what has already been lost. I am praying for the safety of livestock, pets, and wildlife trying to escape the flames. I am praying for strength, protection, and rest for the firefighters, first responders, law enforcement officers, emergency workers, volunteers, and neighbors who are giving everything they have to help.

Lord, please wrap Colorado in Your protection. Bring calmer winds, cooler air, and gentle rain where it is needed most. Give courage to those who are afraid, comfort to those who have lost homes, and hope to those who do not yet know what tomorrow will bring. Watch over our mountain towns, our firefighters, our animals, our families, and all who call this beautiful state home.

Colorado is strong, but today Colorado needs our prayers, our compassion, and our help. Please keep these communities close in your heart.

Colorado strong ❤️

Please Pray

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant3 Comments

The Aspen Acres Fire near Beulah has now burned more than 28,000 acres and remains at zero containment. Homes and structures have been lost, families have been forced to evacuate, and smoke is filling the air near my home and across the state. People are being advised to stay indoors as the air quality worsens.

My heart is heavy for Beulah, one of my favorite places in Colorado, and for every person who has lost a home, a piece of land, a sense of safety, or everything they worked so hard to build. Please pray for the people, the livestock, the wildlife, the firefighters, and all the first responders working in dangerous conditions. Pray for protection, strength, comfort, and hope for everyone affected.