Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) has suspended all arrivals and departures as a wildfire burns in the mountains near the airport, disrupting air travel to one of Colorado’s most popular mountain destinations.
The airport announced the emergency travel alert Thursday evening, August 19, 2026, citing wildfire activity in the vicinity of the airport’s airspace. Travelers with flights to or from Aspen are being advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest information.
The fire, which authorities are calling the Kittle Fire, was reported in the Triangle Peak area near Lenado, roughly three miles southwest of Ruedi Reservoir. According to the Aspen Times, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said at approximately 5:55 p.m. that the fire had grown to about 10 acres and was burning entirely on U.S. Forest Service land within Pitkin County.
At least two helicopters, three fixed-wing aircraft, and smokejumpers were responding to the fire, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The wildfire response has now affected operations at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, also known as Sardy Field.
Aspen airport officials announced that all arrivals and departures have been suspended until further notice because of the fire activity near the airport’s airspace. At 6:32 p.m., the airport provided another update saying SkyWest had canceled all flights for the remainder of the day. A temporary flight restriction is also in effect until sundown. Airport officials said there was no definitive reopening time at the time of the announcement. Passengers are being advised to contact their airlines directly regarding cancellations, delays and potential rebooking.
The airport issued the alert in both English and Spanish, stressing the urgency of the alert.
The temporary closure comes as aircraft are actively being used to fight the wildfire. The combination of firefighting aviation activity, smoke and the temporary flight restriction has made normal commercial operations at ASE unsafe or impractical.
Wildfire-related aviation restrictions are not unprecedented at ASE. County planning documents specifically note that a wildfire in the Roaring Fork Valley could result in a Temporary Flight Restriction that limits or shuts down normal aviation operations at the airport, while also potentially turning the airport into a staging and refueling location for firefighting aircraft.
The Kittle Fire was reported at approximately 10 acres as of the latest information provided by the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, with multiple aerial resources and smokejumpers working the incident.
Travelers flying through Aspen should check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport. Further updates are expected as firefighters continue battling the fire and authorities assess conditions around the airport.
This article is developing and will be updated as additional information becomes available.