KRDO ABC Colorado Springs

Evacuees in Pueblo County, Colorado, began returning home after the ninth day of the Aspen Acres wildfire. A checkpoint at Highway 165 and Cologne Way, staffed by the Colorado National Guard and Pueblo County deputies, verified residency before allowing entry. Residents like David Hill and Kameron Jordan shared their relief at returning after evacuating twice due to fires that damaged or destroyed homes.

New evacuations and pre-evacuations have been ordered for areas near the Aspen Acres Fire, which spans Pueblo and Custer counties. Residents of Red Creek Ranches (Pueblo County) and Wetmore (Custer County) are affected, with evacuees potentially increasing demand at the Pueblo County Recreation Center shelter. The fire is expected to take weeks to contain, and the shelter currently hosts about 20 evacuees.

Incoming desert air will bring hotter and drier conditions to Colorado this weekend, with red flag warnings and fire weather watches issued due to high fire danger. Winds will increase, particularly west of I-25, and temperatures are expected to reach the 90s and 100s. Smoke from large fires in Utah could also impact Colorado's air quality.

Repaving of Southmoor Drive in Fountain, Colorado, is nearly complete after a six-year closure due to erosion concerns. The city allocated $450,000 for the project, which includes recycled asphalt to reduce costs, and the street is expected to reopen before the 4th of July. The closure, from 2020, affected the neighborhood and local businesses, but residents like Tracee Spencer of American Legion Post 38 welcome the impending reopening.