FREMONT COUNTY DOWNGRADED TO AWARENESS MODE
ASPEN ACRES FIRE
Fremont County Returns to Awareness Mode as Aspen Acres Fire Response Enters New Phase
By Jason Hilterbran
FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. — After nearly two weeks of uncertainty, evacuations, and around-the-clock firefighting efforts, Fremont County has entered a welcome new chapter in the Aspen Acres Fire response.
Fremont County Sheriff's Office - Colorado and Sheriff Allen Cooper has lifted all evacuation and pre-evacuation orders across Fremont County. The county has now transitioned entirely into Awareness Mode, signaling that while residents should remain alert and continue monitoring official updates, immediate evacuation concerns have ended for Fremont County.
The improvement comes after significant progress by firefighters in limiting the fire's advance, allowing residents throughout the county to return home and begin restoring a sense of normalcy.
Attention Turns South to Huerfano County
While conditions have improved in Fremont County, the Aspen Acres Fire continues to impact neighboring Huerfano County.
Officials there continue to issue evacuation orders in areas threatened by the fire, and residents are urged to closely monitor official alerts as conditions evolve. Some residents in the Beulah area have recently been cleared to return home, while other evacuation zones remain in effect.
The generosity shown throughout the emergency continues even as evacuations wind down.
The Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department has announced it has an overflow of donated food and is distributing boxes of nonperishable food to the public.
Anyone in need—or anyone who can use the food to prevent waste—is encouraged to stop by the Wetmore Fire Department today, July 15, or tomorrow, July 16, while supplies last.
Pathfinder Park Returns to Normal Operations
With Fremont County residents safely returning home, Pathfinder Park is now clear of evacuees after serving as a temporary shelter during the emergency.
The return to normal operations also means good news for one of the county's biggest annual events.
The Fremont County Fair and Rodeo Board has announced the 2026 Fremont County Fair will once again be held at Pathfinder Park, with festivities scheduled to begin July 24 and continue through August 1.
Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team Firefighters Head Home
Another milestone in the response comes as members of the Alaska Complex Emergency Interagency Command Team and many of the firefighters who answered the call to #Colorado are returning to #Alaska today.
Their leadership and coordination played a major role in the large, multi-agency response that protected communities throughout southern Colorado during one of the region's most challenging wildfire incidents. Communities all over Southern Colorado are expressing their gratitude, their heartfelt thanks to these men and women who sacrifices and endured to help save our towns, our homes, our animals and people.
Although the fire remains active in some areas, the transition marks an important shift from emergency response toward recovery for many communities.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, continue following official fire updates, and exercise caution as firefighting operations continue of our neighbors, in portions of Huerfano County.
www.facebook.com/AspenAcresFire2026
app.Watchduty.com
American Red Cross Shelter: Pathfinder Park, 6655 HWY 115, Florence, Colorado 81226
Fremont County, CO GIS: https://fremontgis.com/portal/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=ef1ec35c0a014a5b97abe29f0f8db365
Alsaka Interagency Complex Situation Team Update July 8, 2026: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2514088542389853
www.EmergentCampus.org
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At Royal Gorge Region News, our mission is to deliver authentic rural American news that truly reflects the spirit of Fremont County, Colorado. We are dedicated to informing our community about local happenings, events, and highlights that matter most to our citizens.
