Sikes Ranch Fire

On August 12th, 2026 just before 15:00 Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center dispatched Rye Fire Protection District to a smoke investigation near mile post 83 on I-25. The caller was reporting the smoke was visible to their north possibly west of mile post 83 on I-25. As Rye crews began working on getting eyes on the fire, Beulah Fire Fire Protection District and Ambulance District and Pueblo County Sheriff Emergency Services Division (ESD) were dispatched due to the smoke possibly being within their districts. Upon further investigation, the smoke was dark in color and appeared to be growing and Chief 201 found access off Crow Cutoff Rd. north of Colorado City. The fire was originally reported to be around 30 acres and growing slowly and a strike team request was made within the county. Due to the rough terrain the fire was burning in, additional resources were ordered from the Aspen Acres fire including an engine crew, 20 person hand crew, and a dozer. The USFS interagency dispatch offered up two single engine air tankers (SEAT) that were working fires in Las Animas county. Due to their proximity they were overhead quickly and made two sets of drops refilling with fire retardant at the Pueblo Memorial Airport. After the drops a dozer was able to put in a containment line completely around the fire preventing the spread any further. Crews continued to mop up and secure perimeter lines until dark where the fire was put into monitor status and called 100% contained and under control. Crews continued to mop the fire up on August 13th, 2026 and due to some unburned fuels within the perimeter some smoke was visible at times. The fire was contained at 6 acres burned and was most likely caused by lightning. Information provided by Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office and Code 4 Photography

Units on Scene:

Rye: Chief 201, Brush 261, Brush 262, Tender 291

Beulah: Chief 401, Chief 405, Brush 461

Pueblo County ESD: Brush 161, Brush 164, Brush 165, Tender 191, Tender 192

 West Park Fire Department: Brush 564, Tender 593

Pueblo Rural Fire Protection District: Brush 761

 Pueblo West Fire Department: District Chief 1, Brush 861

Pueblo Fire Department: Brush 64

 Red Creek Volunteer Fire & Rescue: Brush 961

Hanover Fire Department: Tender 3523

Edison Fire Protection District: Brush 3847 (Cancelled)

Air Support: Tanker 857 & Tanker 827

U.S. Forest Service: Module 3 (San Carlos Ranger District)

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office & American Medical Response