Aspen Acres Fire Gains First Containment

Firefighters battling the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo and Custer counties reported their first containment over the holiday weekend, reaching 13% by Sunday morning after holding at 0% for a week.

The fire has burned nearly 87,000 acres across Pueblo and Custer counties, putting it among the largest in state history. Milder weather and more than 800 firefighters helped crews achieve the fire’s first containment on the eastern flank near Highway 78.

At least 157 structures in Pueblo County and 55 homes in Custer County have been destroyed, and roughly 3,800 homes were ordered to evacuate. Officials say the fire, which started June 29, was human-caused but they have not released details.

Farther north, the Willow Fire forced new mandatory evacuations near Leadville on Sunday. The blaze grew to about 3,000 acres west of town and remained at or near 0% contained.

Colorado Honors Three Fallen Firefighters

Colorado flew flags at half-staff Sunday and held a public memorial in Grand Junction for three firefighters killed while battling a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border.

Emily Barker, 38, Nick Hutcherson, 27, and Sydney Watson, 26, died June 27 in a burnover on the Knowles Fire, which was later overtaken by the larger Snyder Fire. The three firefighters were assigned to federal wildland firefighting crews participating in the Knowles Fire response.

Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags lowered from sunrise to sunset to honor them. “These three brave heroes ran towards the flames, put themselves in harm’s way, and gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect Coloradans, our communities, and our families,” he said.

The memorial service ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park. A burnover happens when a wildfire overtakes firefighters, often after escape routes are cut off. The firefighters deployed emergency fire shelters as the flames overtook them.

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How do you take your burger?

1. A classic cheeseburger
2. Loaded with all the toppings
3. Smothered in green chile
4. Something fancy and gourmet
5. Make mine a veggie burger
6. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you like rugby?

1. Not my sport: 63%
2. Yes, I watch matches: 22%
3. Yes, I play: 15%

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At 10,152 feet in the central Rockies, what former silver-mining boomtown is the highest incorporated city in the United States?

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