wildfire
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Many evacuees await return from Aspen Acres blaze as Huerfano County issues new orders
As hundreds of firefighters made progress in slowing the eastward spread of the Aspen Acres fire, its expansion to the south and west prompted new pre-evacuation orders in Huerfano County. Officials asked residents for patience as many areas, including the towns of Rye and San Isabel, remain under evacuation orders. “Overall, progress has been made,…
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Aspen Acres fire damaged drinking water systems in Beulah area
The Aspen Acres fire damaged drinking water systems in the Beulah area and likely private wells, health officials said. Residents served by the Pine Drive Water District, Signal Mountain Ranch Property Owner Water Company and those with private wells should use bottled water until they know their water systems are safe, the Colorado Department of…
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Aspen Acres fire damage footage released, residents seek reentry
First looks at the damage path are emerging in the Aspen Acres fire, as more than 11,000 people wait for news on when they can return. Tuesday afternoon, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office released a nine-minute video showing fire damage from the air along Pine Drive in Beulah. More footage will be coming out later,…
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Fire season in the Colorado backcountry: The dangers and how to avoid them
As several large wildfires rip across Colorado, hikers, backpackers, river rafters and other backcountry users face a fear that plagues many outdoor recreators in the West. The beginning of what is shaping up to be a scary fire season begs the question: What do you do if you’re in the backcountry on foot without service…
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Colorado, Utah mourn after 3 firefighters killed in wildfires
Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday mourned the deaths of three firefighters killed while battling a wildfire on the Colorado-Utah border, calling the loss a tragedy for the state and the firefighting community. The firefighters died Saturday while responding to a fire in the Knowles Canyon near the state line, according to initial reports. Two additional…
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Denver public safety power shut-offs ‘a last resort,’ Xcel says
Although Denver has not yet experienced a public safety power shut-off, the Mile High City came close in December, according to Xcel Energy officials who briefed the city’s Transportation and Infrastructure committee Wednesday. Representatives from the utility company briefed members of the Denver City Council’s committee on wildfire mitigation efforts on Wednesday, highlighting a $1.2…
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Aurora wildland fire contained at Buckley Space Force Base
A wildland fire burned Sunday morning on the southwest end of Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, authorities said. The fire no longer posed a threat and crews were clearing the scene as of 10:53 a.m., according to Aurora Fire Rescue. Aurora Fire Rescue and the Aurora Police Department first responded to the fire burning…
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Denver area smoke blowing in from Nebraska fires
The Denver area became enveloped in a thick haze Thursday afternoon as smoke blew in from fires to the east, the National Weather Service said. Originating from the Ashby and Minor fires in the Sandhills of Nebraska, the smoke began moving southwest across Colorado Thursday morning, NWS officials said on its website. The smoke entered…
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Xcel gets an earful from public for power shutoffs in Colorado
Residents, business owners and local officials gave Xcel Energy an earful during a hearing convened by Colorado’s utility regulators on Wednesday, accusing the power company of using power shutoffs as a liability dodge that burdens communities. Xcel’s ability to trigger what’s called “Public Safety Power Shutoffs” or PSPS is officially sanctioned by the Public Utilities…
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A murder trial, a wildfire and gnarly roads are among the most notable news stories of 2025
2025 brought a fair share of stories throughout Colorado, from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope — none may have been more captivating than a murder trial in Centennial this summer. After three weeks of testimony, a jury found former Aurora dentist James Craig guilty of murdering his wife Angela in 2023 with lethal…