Fire activity on the largest fire burning in Colorado right now is expected to increase Monday as temperatures and winds increase, fire officials said.

The Aspen Acres fire burning in Pueblo and Custer counties is 36% contained and estimated at 98,609 acres as of Monday morning.

Crews are using heavy equipment to build a robust fire line on the west side of Rye to protect the community from active fire near North Muddy Creek. Crews are also moving toward a high-heat area near Saint Charles Peak, the second-highest peak in the Wet Mountains, according to the Alaska Complex Incident Management Team 1.

While most of the eastern flank of the fire is under control, firefighters are working to contain a section in the northeast, where pockets of smoldering heat are threatening to ignite highly flammable juniper trees. Crews are monitoring these spots and extinguishing the heat as they detect it, using infrared drones.

Hot, dry conditions forecasted for this week will test the fire’s containment lines. Crews are patrolling the perimeter to extinguish hot spots and protect structures.

The fire is burning less than 2 miles from the town of Rye, Fire Chief Ross Gallegos wrote in a letter addressed to the community, warning residents that it is not yet safe to return to their homes.

“Fire activity has remained unpredictable, with repeated periods of increased intensity that can rapidly change fire conditions,” Gallegos said in the letter that was posted online by Rye Fire Protection District.

Evacuated residents of Beulah and Wetmore will be able to return to their properties on a scheduled basis starting Monday. Beulah residents can schedule a time at the Disaster Assistance Center in Pueblo and Wetmore residents can call 719-467-0271 for more information.

Officials expect the fire to burn for months, possibly until winter arrives.

Gold Mountain fire

Containment increased on the Gold Mountain fire Sunday, but so did the fire. The wildfire burning near Ouray is burning 36,259 acres and is 11% contained, officials said Monday morning.

Firefighters continued to reinforce firelines and patrol areas around structures, along the Highway 550 corridor and northeast to the Cow Creek drainage Sunday night, according to Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3.

A heavy-lift helicopter conducting water drops from Silver Jack Reservoir crashed Sunday evening, killing the pilot and sole occupant.

There is still potential for moderate to extreme fire behavior due to the very dry fuels and above-average temperatures. Protecting structures around the reservoir, High Mesa, Bear Claw and nearby homes and ranches are still a priority, officials said.

Crews are also using heavy equipment, like bulldozers, to build firelights along the west side of Cimarron Ridge to protect threatened structures along the forest boundary.

Relief may come with rain this week, according to the National Weather Service. There’s a 30% to 40% chance of rain in Ridgway on Monday and Tuesday, with chances jumping to 60% Wednesday. Passing storms could also bring lightning that could spark new fires.

Ferris fire

Scattered storms and cloud cover Sunday helped calm the Ferris fire burning near Dolores, but the northwestern portion of the fire was still active Sunday and through the night, officials with the San Juan National Forest said Monday.

The fire grew slightly to the north and stayed on the east side of the Dolores River.

Firefighters strategically positioned across the control line responded to spot fires that started Sunday. Helicopters and hot shot crews also worked east of Mountain Sheep Point to drop retardant to slow the fire’s progression.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible over the next few days, which could bring gusty, erratic winds and lightning.

More than 1,000 personnel are assigned to the fire, burning 64,661 acres, as of Monday. The fire is 29% contained.

Willow fire

Winds fueled the Willow fire, burning near Leadville, on Sunday, particularly in the southern portion of the fire, where gusts pushed flames in pockets of mixed conifer within the fire’s perimeter, and along the fire’s western flank, officials said in a Monday morning update.

Crews finished establishing containment lines in the Halfmoon Creek area Sunday and lines on the northeastern corner and eastern edge.

Near-record high temperatures recorded in Leadville on Sunday — at 79 degrees — combined with dry fuels and moderate winds will continue to pose challenges to firefighters. Winds out of the southeast are forecast for the next several days.

The Willow fire is burning 6,239 acres and is 33% contained.

Elk fire

The lightning-caused Elk fire has burned nearly 488 acres in the Uncompahgre Wilderness as of Monday morning, officials said. The fire is north of Lake City in an “extremely remote location” in Hinsdale County.

On Sunday, the fire grew to the north and slightly east, according to Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team 1. Smokejumpers and rappelers worked along the western and southern portions of the fire to slow the fire’s advancement toward the Elk Creek area.

Crews are also working to assess structures along Highway 149.

This is a developing story that will be updated.