‘Aspen Acres’ crews plan strategic retreat on southwest side, residents must ‘fireproof’ homes

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - Fire crews will not fight the "Aspen Acres" fire in the Greenhorn Wilderness, according to officials.

Operation Section Chief Brad Washa said the Greenhorn Wilderness is too rugged for firefighting crews to safely dig fire lines. There are little to no roads in the area and the terrain is extremely steep. This comes after Washa said two firefighters were injured trying to dig fire lines in rugged terrain on the southwest side of the fire.

Washa said people with homes in the Greenhorn wilderness should "fireproof" their homes by clearing everything combustible within five feet of the house, like wood piles. From there, clear dry vegetation out as far as 100 feet from the home. If possible, he recommends putting gravel down around the property.

Washa said the Alaska Complex Incident Management Team (ACIMT), who is overseeing operations of the "Aspen Acres" fire, is considering allowing the fire to burn down the mountain on the west side and attacking it on flatter ground west of Highway 69.

He said it would take over three weeks to establish fire lines on the fire's current western edge over rough terrain, and the fire might outpace them. He said it is also much more dangerous for the firefighters.

Washa said it would be a much easier fight on flat ground with less fuel. If ACIMT employs this strategy, the fire would grow significantly in acreage. However, the western front is sparsely populated, and it wouldn't put many homes at risk.

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