Aircraft Wage Desperate Battle To Protect Colorado Town From Wildfire

Fire crews continued structure protection operations as the Aspen Acres Fire pushed through the area, threatening the town of Beulah.

Aerial footage shows an aircraft making repeated low passes over rugged terrain, releasing streams of water or bright red fire retardant onto structures and the advancing fire edge to create protective barriers. Thick smoke rises from burning vegetation as the aircraft maneuvers above homes and forested slopes.

Crews returned the following morning to inspect structures already impacted and identify opportunities for direct attack on the fire edge threatening the center of town.

The update comes from the front lines of the Aspen Acres Fire, also tied to the broader Willow Fire complex southwest of Pueblo. As the wildfire made a significant push through the area in early July 2026, firefighters focused on defending Beulah through coordinated aerial support and ground-based structure protection.

Pilot Earl Watters carried out critical retardant drops while crews assessed damage and targeted the advancing fire threatening central parts of the community. The multi-agency response continues to prioritize protecting lives and property in the challenging mountain terrain.