The last residents evacuated by the massive Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado were allowed to return home Saturday, but thunderstorms could cause flash flooding in the fire’s burn scar.
Read more Today in History: July 26, Hillary Clinton wins nomination for Democratic presidential candidate
As of Saturday morning, all mandatory evacuation zones had been downgraded to pre-evacuation status or cleared, according to an update from fire officials. All residents in Pueblo, Custer, Huerfano and Fremont counties who were impacted by the fire were allowed back home.
The fire had consumed roughly 101,738 acres at that time and was 61% contained, fire officials said. That’s roughly 159 square miles, larger than the city of Denver.
Residents in pre-evacuation zones must receive a reentry card from their county to return home, fire officials said in the update. Residents should also be prepared to leave again if the weather or fire conditions worsen.
Lightning sparked several fires near the Aspen Acres fire on Friday, and more lightning is expected through the week, fire officials said. Firefighters “remain vigilant” and are monitoring for new fire starts.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board said there was a low flood threat for the Aspen Acres burn scar on Saturday. The board is part of the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
The Willow and Gold Mountain fires both had a “moderate” threat of flooding, and the Ferris fire had a “high” threat, according to the agency.
“Flood threats include excessive runoff, debrid/mud flows over steep terrain, road flooding, and urban flooding,” Colorado Water Conservation Board officials wrote in the warning.
Serious threats of flooding will continue across Colorado through Wednesday, with a decreased threat through Aug. 2, according to the agency’s forecast.
“Storms over the mountains will have the potential to cause heavy rain,” National Weather Service forecasters wrote in a hazardous weather outlook on Saturday. “Any heavy rain over the burn scars will have the potential to cause flash flooding.”
The outlook largely covers southern and eastern Colorado, including parts of Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Crowley, El Paso, Fremont, Kiowa, Lake, Las Animas, Prowers, Pueblo, Saguache and Teller counties. Daily rain showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the next week, forecasters said.
Read more One killed in Denver crash on Interstate 25, police say
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.
