safety
Wildfire southwest of Denver forces thousands to evacuate and destroys more than 160 structures
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 3, 2026
· 2 min read
A wildfire burning southwest of Denver has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and destroyed more than 160 structures by Friday as erratic winds pushed the blaze across two Colorado counties.The Aspen Acres fire is one of about 40 uncontained large blazes burning mostly in the West, f...
Key takeaway All of Colorado City, an unincorporated community of about 2,200, was ordered evacuated as well as the towns of Beulah, Rye and San Isabel, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The wildfires burning in Colorado and Utah serve as a stark reminder for San Antonio residents to be vigilant about fire safety, given the similar dry conditions that can occur in Texas. While San Antonio is not currently experiencing the same level of wildfire threat, the city's own history of droughts and wildfires warrants attention to preventive measures. Local fire personnel and emergency management officials should take note of the strategies being employed in Colorado, such as scooping water from reservoirs and utilizing National Guard support, in case similar tactics are needed in Bexar County. Additionally, San Antonio residents living in wildfire-prone areas should review their emergency evacuation plans and stay informed about local fire conditions, as the situation in Colorado demonstrates how quickly wildfires can spread and force evacuations.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A wildfire burning southwest of Denver has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and destroyed more than 160 structures by Friday as erratic winds pushed the blaze across two Colorado counties.The Aspen Acres fire is one of about 40 uncontained large blazes burning mostly in the West, f...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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