A massive wildfire has erupted in Colorado, United States, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The blaze, spreading rapidly southwest of Denver, has been intensified by strong winds in southern Colorado. The Aspen Acres Fire alone expanded by 44 square kilometers overnight, burning a total of 272 square kilometers and destroying more than 160 homes and structures. Authorities have ordered about 2,200 residents of Colorado City to leave, along with people in Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel.

Smoke from the fires has reduced visibility on parts of Interstate 25 to half a mile, complicating travel. Around 50 members of the Colorado National Guard have been deployed to assist with road checkpoints and restrict boat traffic on Pueblo Reservoir, where firefighters are collecting water to combat the flames. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control has issued smoke alerts across the state and canceled many fireworks events due to extreme fire risk.

The National Weather Service has maintained red flag warnings across most of Colorado, citing hot, dry, and windy conditions. Meteorologists said weekend rainfall could reduce fire danger but might trigger flash floods in burned areas.