The smoke in Westcliffe, CO appears to be from a nearby wildfire in Custer County, later identified in local coverage as the Buttermilk Fire / 299 Fire area northwest of Westcliffe. Reports said the fire was active in March 2026, with evacuations and smoke visible across nearby areas, and one update said it was mostly contained at about 95% with evacuation orders lifted.

What was reported

  • A Custer County wildfire near Westcliffe prompted evacuations.
  • Local updates described the fire as burning northwest of Westcliffe in the Wet Mountain Valley area.
  • One report said the fire was started by a downed Aspen tree on a remote powerline.

Practical read on the smoke

If you’re seeing smoke now, the most likely explanation is lingering wildfire smoke or a flare-up/re-ignition in the same general fire area rather than a new citywide source. Air-quality and smoke maps are the best way to judge whether the smoke is drifting into Westcliffe at the moment.

Safety steps

  • Check local evacuation or road-closure notices before traveling near Highway 69 or the surrounding canyon and valley roads.
  • Limit outdoor exposure if the smoke is heavy, especially if you have asthma or other breathing issues.
  • Use a well-fitted mask and keep windows closed if smoke is entering your home.

Local status

By the latest reports in the search results, the fire had reached high containment and evacuation orders were lifted, but smoke can still linger even after a fire is largely controlled.

Would you like a quick update on whether the smoke is still active right now or just a plain-English summary of the fire area?