Church News: Church members find blessings amid trials of Colorado fires
By Jenney Mead
RYE, COLORADO — More than 101,000 acres and at least 337 homes have been destroyed by the Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado. The fire is now the seventh largest in the history of Colorado, and state officials said it is a national priority for wildfires. Over 16,000 people have been evacuated since the fire began at the end of June, including 140 member households of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Wildfire evacuees have been sheltering with family members, friends and in the homes of Pueblo Colorado Stake members.
The fire began near the town of Beulah, Colorado, on June 29. Evacuations began that same day.
Sisters Katie and Breann Kirkland were at home in Beulah, which is in a valley in south-central Colorado on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, when they noticed smoke and flames through a bedroom window. Their parents, Cindy and Mike Kirkland, began preparing the family for evacuation. As they loaded, Mike Kirkland recalled receiving official alerts to leave, including an unexpected visit from the Beulah fire chief.