According to the July 10 morning update related to the Aspen Acres Fire that’s burned 97,083 acres southeast of Pueblo, the current estimate for structures lost is 851. While officials didn’t indicate how many of the structures that were destroyed were homes, it’s looking like this could become the second-most destructive wildfire in Colorado history based on homes lost, behind only the 2021 Marshall fire and the 1,084 homes that claimed. At this time, the Aspen Acres Fire is the seventh-largest in state history by acreage.

“As many structures that we did see lost, you know, [fighting] the fire the last couple of days, there were a lot of good saves,” said Operations Section Chief Brad Washa of the Alaska Incident Management Team. “That was, in part, because people did work around their homes before the fire came through […] and along with the firefighters and a lot of good firefights to save those homes.”

About a quarter-inch of rain fell on the northern side of the fire on Thursday, though this precipitation also came with some outflow winds that increased fire activity on the western side of the blaze in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Continued activity is expected in that area on Friday.

While rain like what’s been present in the area in recent days can temporarily dampen the blaze, it’s not enough to make much of a lasting difference as it doesn’t penetrate into the fuel or through the canopy, according to officials. Per officials, a multi-day rain event would be needed to really have an impact. A flash flood watch remains active in the burn area from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday given additional storms that are coming through.

In good news, a lot of containment has been gained on the southeastern edge of the fire, with containment increasing to 28 percent.

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