The Aspen Acres Fire
Esperanza Gathering Place and Esperanza Equine were protected from the intense flames of the Aspen Acres Fire (over 100,000 acres burned and 780 structures destroyed) as hot shot crews worked to hold back the fire at the property line for over 48 hours. A vehicle melted 20 feet from the main house (!) but the main house, barn, gardens and animal area were untouched.
The terrain around us was impacted by fire; the beauty here refused to be killed. There is something about charred but renewing beauty around us that...fits. Come see!
Prior to the fire
The Greenhorn Valley, Greenhorn Mountain and Wilderness, San Isabel and Lake San Isabel have been cherished by every people group who has called this land home. Dense and diverse forests, and they don't call them the Wet Mountains for nothing - historically lush and moist forest floor.
During the fire
Extreme drought conditions and a single spark began what was a month of evacuations, nervousness and prayer. Anyone who has gone through the capricious and unpredictable nature of fire knows how stressful it can be, not knowing if you have a home to which you will return. 780 structures were lost, with hundreds of homes burned to the ground.
Present
The fire went over the property lines of Esperanza Equine and melted a vehicle to the ground 20 feet from a structure. No damage to housing, barns, animals, gardens or land. We are grateful and so deeply aware of neighbors and community members who have lost everything. Esperanza Equine has dedicated the month of September, 2026 to serving those most impacted by the fire, offering care and therapy.