The Aspen Acres Fire, which officials have said is completely uncontrolled, surpassed 50,000 acres on Thursday and has already destroyed more than 180 structures. Photo by Pueblo County Sheriff's Office
July 2 (UPI) -- The Aspen Acres fire in Colorado has surpassed 50,000 acres as evacuations spread to a wider area and the state warns residents of significant air quality issues because of smoke.
The fire, which started on Monday, had covered 50,187 acres and destroyed at least 180 structures by early Thursday after doubling in size during the previous 24 hours, Colorado Public Radio and CBS News reported.
Buelah, Rye, Wetmore and San Isabel all have been evacuated, and Colorado City has been listed on a pre-evacuation notice, as officials work to get people out of the blaze's way.
"There will be additional structures lost," Phil Daniels, an official with the state's Department of Fire Prevention and Control, said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
