Authorities lifted all evacuation orders for the Beulah area and the broader Aspen Acres Fire zone on Saturday, July 25, 2026 [1], [5].
The decision allows residents to return to their properties in Pueblo County, though the scale of destruction marks one of the region's most severe recent wildfire events.
Fire officials said the update during a 10 p.m. newscast on Saturday [2], [3]. The blaze reached 61% containment [4] and burned a total of 101,738 acres [4]. Because of this progress, all remaining evacuation zones were downgraded to either pre-evacuation or cleared status [4], [5].
The fire devastated large portions of Southern Colorado, specifically affecting Rye, Pueblo County, and the Beulah area [1], [6]. According to reports, the fire destroyed more than 850 structures [7], including at least 337 homes [7].
Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said the human cost of the disaster during the height of the crisis. "Behind every one of those numbers is a family, cherished memories, and a lifetime of hard work," Lucero said [7].
While the immediate threat to life and property has decreased, the landscape remains scarred by the massive acreage burned. Fire crews continue to monitor the area to ensure the 61% containment holds as the recovery process begins for the hundreds of displaced residents [4].
“"Behind every one of those numbers is a family, cherished memories, and a lifetime of hard work."”
The lifting of evacuation orders signals a transition from emergency response to long-term recovery. With over 850 structures destroyed, the local government and insurance providers now face a massive reconstruction effort in Pueblo County, while the 61% containment rate suggests that while the perimeter is largely secure, the fire is not yet fully extinguished.
