Destructive wildfires threatened Colorado communities during the summer of 2026 resulting in the activation of the Colorado Army National Guard to provide critical, targeted support on the ground.
Following an executive order from Governor Jared Polis declaring a state of emergency over the Independence Day weekend, more than 80 Colorado National Guard members were activated to manage traffic control points for road closures and evacuated areas near the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo, Huerfano and Fremont counties.
While the mission was structurally organized as a joint operation, roughly 95% of the National Guard portion of the domestic response relied on Army personnel. The COARNG provided the boots-on-the-ground presence required to secure perimeters and protect local neighborhoods.
Task Force Commander U.S. Air Force Capt. Cynthia Maston emphasized that perimeter security remained the primary line of defense for displaced residents. “The National Guard is assisting[ed] local law enforcement and Colorado State Police with the traffic control points throughout the affected areas,” Maston said, “ensuring that the residents are not going into burnt areas … trying to ensure that we are protecting as much as we can possibly by not allowing them in.”
The COARNG provided much-needed relief to state and local partners who were stretched thin by the disaster response.
“When the local resources are taxed beyond their ability to supply, we have to reach out to our partners for help,” said Colorado State Patrol Capt. Carrie Jackson, Troop 2D Pueblo Commander. “[The COARNG] took over our traffic control points, restricting access into areas that were threatened by fire.”
This support allowed local law enforcement to return to their typical policing work or serve in a different capacity with roving patrols within the burn zone rather than routine perimeter security.
Many Soldiers were drawn to volunteer for the mission.
"I heard how bad it was. I heard how many structures were taken out," said U.S. Army Sgt. Aumri Brinson, military police officer, 220th Military Police Company. "I wanted to be out here helping."
This activation marked Brinson’s first wildfire response. Staffing another traffic control point, fellow MP U.S. Army Sgt. Lyric Nieto-Fernandez brought experience from her previous wildfire response in 2025 to the Aspen Acres Fire. Knowing how stressful evacuations could be, she aimed to serve as a reassuring presence for residents passing through.
“I take pride in helping out my community,” said Nieto-Fernandez. "It's good to be able to be a smiling face in this community.”
The Aspen Acres Fire swept through more than 100,000 acres. It is ranked as the 7th-largest wildfire in Colorado state history.