List of Colorado wildfires


This is a list of Colorado wildfires which have occurred periodically throughout its recorded history.
One of the most significant fires in United States history was The Big Blowup of 1910. In that fire, 3 million acres burned and 78 firefighters were killed in the northern Rocky Mountains which led to a standing policy in Colorado of all fires out by 10am. The policy evolved over the 20th century.
The Colorado State Forest Service was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 1955 and oversees response to wildfires in Colorado.
The Hayman Fire was the largest wildfire in Colorado state history, part of the 2002 Colorado wildfires. The 2012 Colorado forest fires broke the record for most destructive fire twice and led to declaration of a federal disaster area in June 2012. The 2013 Colorado forest fires, fueled by high heat and winds again broke the record for the most destructive and, as of July 5, 2013, includes the second largest in Colorado History.

List of fires

This list only covers the largest, most destructive fires in Colorado History. Colorado State University has information on named fires from 1976 to 2006 and total wildfires from 1960 to 2009. According to CSU, wildfires in Colorado destroyed less than 100,000 acres per decade over the 1960s and the 1970s. For the 1980s and 1990s, the total was over 200,000 acres per decade. For the 2000s, the total was approximately 1,000,000 acres. Major named wildfires for 2012 through June 24, 2012 had burned close to 250,000 acres. Notable fires from before 1980 are also included, sourced mainly from old newspapers and records.
YearSizeNameAreaNotes
1924Jim Creek fireWinter Park, Colorado, Moffat Tunnel west portal.
1926Payne Gulch fireSouth of Bailey, Colorado, Pike National Forest.
1932Tolland fireTolland, Colorado.
1934East Portal fireWest of Tolland, Colorado, Moffat Tunnel east portal.
1934Hourglass fireTopaz Mountain, Pike National Forest.
1938Black Canyon fireEast of Tolland, Colorado, Roosevelt National Forest.
1939Panhandle fireNorthwest of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, Roosevelt National Forest.
1939Granite Mountain fireGranite, Colorado, San Isabel National Forest.
1939Mammoth Mountain firePlatoro, Colorado, Rio Grande National Forest.
1942Green Ridge fireEast of Yampa, Colorado, Routt National Forest.
1944Glendevey fireGlendevey, Colorado, Roosevelt National Forest.
1944Hell's Hole fireWest of Wolcott, Colorado.
1948Weld County grass fireKersey, Colorado.
1950about 45 square miles Cheyenne Mountain fireFort Carson, ColoradoDestroyed 89 buildings in and around Camp Carson and killed 8 people. Although reports claim the fire was over 45 square miles in size, this number was likely exaggerated.
1950Grand Mesa fireGrand Mesa, west of Cedaredge, Colorado.
1951Fremont Peak fireRoyal GorgeThreatened the Royal Gorge bridge.
1951Trailer Draw fireDouglas Mountain, Moffat County, Colorado
1952Roosevelt fireRoosevelt National Forest, north of Red Feather Lakes.
1952Tallahassee Creek fireWest of Cañon City, Colorado.
1952Owl's Head fireNear Mount Evans
1952Goose Creek fireSouth of Creede, Colorado.Burned in an area so rugged in the Rio Grande National Forest that firefighters had to hike in five miles from the nearest road. Caused by hunters.
1956Devil's Canyon fireSouthwest of Idaho Springs, Colorado, in the Arapaho National Forest, Clear Creek County.
1956North Fork fireRocky Mountain National Park, northwest of Glen Haven, Colorado
1958Deadman fireWest of Red Feather Lakes
1959Morefield fireMesa Verde National Park
1962Resthouse fireArapaho National Forest, Clear Creek County, Colorado.
1962Bear Creek fireSomerset, Colorado
1963Wildcat Canyon firePike National Forest, southwest of Cheeseman LakeEscaped prescribed fire that jumped the South Platte River.
1966Comanche fireComanche Reservoir, Roosevelt National Forest
1968Lincoln Lake fireArapaho National Forest, Clear Creek County, Colorado.
1971Bull Mountain fireNorthwestern Larimer County, Colorado
1972Moccasin Mesa fireMesa Verde National Park
1972Irish Canyon fireNorthwestern Moffat CountyHelicopter crashed while working on this fire. No fatalities.
1972Plug Hat firesNorth of Dinosaur, ColoradoTwo fires, about 900 and 700 acres.
1974Gold Hill fireGold Hill, ColoradoImmediately south of Gold Hill, Colorado. 1 structure destroyed. Human caused.
1974Jefferson Lake fireWest of Kenosha Pass, Colorado
1975Red Dirt fireEagle County, ColoradoLargest Colorado wildfire at the time until surpassed by the Emerald Lake fire in 1980.
1976Battlement Creek fireParachute, ColoradoKilled 3 firefighters in a burn over and 1 pilot in a helicopter crash.
1976Comforter Mountain fireBoulder Canyon, Colorado
1977Ox Yoke fireDeckers, Colorado
1977Meadow Lake fireNorthwest of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, White River National Forest
1977Deep Creek fireNorthwest of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, White River National Forest
1978Kilpecker fireWest of Red Feather Lakes
1978Overholt fireMaybell, Colorado
1978Maes Creek fireGreenhorn Mountain, San Isabel National Forest
1978Reservoir fireIdaho Springs Reservoir, Arapaho National Forest
1978Ouzel fireRocky Mountain National ParkCaused by lightning in Rocky Mountain National Park and was allowed to burn naturally, but was pushed by strong winds and ran towards Allenspark, Colorado. Luckily, the fire was subdued before it reached the park boundary.
1980Emerald Lake fireWhite River National ForestLargest wildfire in Colorado history at the time.
1988I Do fireSouth of Sunbeam, Colorado, Moffat County.Surpassed the Emerald Lake fire as largest in the state's history. Named for a Bureau of Land Management firefighter who was married the day the fire broke out.
1989Black Tiger FireWest of Boulder, Colorado44 homes and structures burned in under six hours. At the time, it was Colorado's most destructive wildfire in terms of property loss and damage.
1993Wapiti fireSunbeam, Colorado
1993Sunbeam fireSunbeam, Colorado
1994Black Ridge fireSouth of Durango, Colorado
1994South Canyon fireGlenwood Springs, ColoradoOften referred to as the "Storm King" fire. Killed 14 firefighters.
1996Buffalo Creek firePike National Forest south of Pine, ColoradoDestroyed 12 homes.
1996O'Pinion fireMoffat County, Colorado, south of U.S. 40
2000Kiowa County fireKiowa County, Colorado.
2000Hi Meadow firePine, ColoradoBurned 58 structures and caused more than $15 million in damages. Ignited by a cigarette.
2000Bobcat fireWest of Loveland, Colorado, Roosevelt National Forest22 structures lost.
2000Bircher fireMesa Verde National Park, ColoradoLargest fire in Mesa Verde National Park history.
2000Buster Flats fireNorthwestern Moffat County, Colorado.
2002Lincoln County Complex fireLincoln County, Colorado
2002Hayman FirePike National Forest, ColoradoLargest fire in Colorado history by area. 5 firefighter deaths, 133 homes lost, 600 total structures destroyed, more than $42 million in damages. Caused by arson.
2002Missionary Ridge FireDurango, ColoradoStarted June 9, 2002. Firefighting cost $40 million; one firefighter death after tree fall. Burned for 39 days and destroyed 46 houses and cabins.
2002Coal Seam fireGlenwood Springs, ColoradoCaused by a coal seam fire that initially ignited in 1910 and burned underground for decades. 43 structures were destroyed.
2002Trinidad Complex fireLas Animas County, ColoradoSpring and Fisher fires. The Spring fire began in New Mexico and crossed into Colorado.
2002Big Elk fireEstes Park, Colorado3 firefighters killed in plane crash.
2002Iron Mountain fireSouthwest of Cañon City, Colorado.Destroyed 201 structures, including over 100 homes.
2002Burn Canyon fireNorwood, Colorado
2002Spring Creek Complex fireNorth of Glenwood Springs, ColoradoSpring Creek and East Meadow Creek fires
2002Big Fish fireTrappers Lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness
2002Mt. Zirkel Complex fireMount Zirkel WildernessConsisted of the Burn Ridge and Hinman fires.
2003Overland fireJamestown, ColoradoCaused by downed power lines. Destroyed 62 structures.
2004Picnic Rock fireNorthwest of Fort Collins, Colorado
2005Mason fireBeulah, Colorado
2006Yuma County fireYuma County, Colorado
2006Mato Vega fireLa Veta Pass, Colorado
2008Ordway fireOrdway, ColoradoKilled 2 firefighters and burned 44 structures.
2008TA-25 fireFort Carson, ColoradoPilot killed when his plane crashed.
2008Bridger firePiñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado
2008Mayberry fireMaybell, Colorado
2010Fourmile Canyon fireWest of Boulder, ColoradoCaused by an extinguished fire pit that reignited. Destroyed 172 structures and was the most destructive Colorado wildfire at the time.
2011Fort Lyons fireJohn Martin Reservoir, Bent County, Colorado
2011Bear Springs Complex firePiñon Canyon Maneuver Site, ColoradoConsisted of the Bear Springs and Callie Marie fires.
2011Shell Complex fireLas Animas County, ColoradoConsisted of the Shell and Brice fires.
2012Heartstrong fireYuma, Colorado
2012Lower North Fork fireFoxton, ColoradoCaused by an escaped prescribed fire. Burned 23 homes and killed 3 people. Deadliest Colorado wildfire in terms of civilian lives lost.
2012Little Sand fireSan Juan National Forest, north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado
2012High Park FireRoosevelt National Forest, West of Fort CollinsStarted by lightning. Fourth largest wildfire in Colorado state history by area. Killed one person and destroyed at least 248 homes, making it the most destructive fire in state history until Waldo Canyon Fire a few days later.
2012Waldo Canyon FireColorado Springs areaLocated near Pikes Peak, northwest of Colorado Springs in the Waldo Canyon - origin currently unknown - first reported the afternoon of Saturday, June 23. Destroyed 346 homes; the most destructive fire until the Black Forest Fire of 2013. Two fatalities.
2012Last Chance fireLast Chance, ColoradoBegan south of Last Chance, Colorado, by sparks from a tire blowout. Burned 11 structures.
2012Weber fireMancos, Colorado
2012Pine Ridge fireWest of De Beque, Colorado
2013Black Forest FireBlack Forest, near Colorado SpringsThe most destructive fire in Colorado state history. Destroyed 488 homes, left 28 homes partially damaged, and claimed the lives of two people. Cause: natural causes eliminated.
2013Royal Gorge FireRoyal GorgeStarted June 11, 2013; jumped Royal Gorge and damaged the Royal Gorge Bridge.
2013East Peak FireEast Spanish PeakStarted June 19, 2013; put the entire town of Walsenburg, Colorado, under pre-evacuation status. Cause: Lightning.
2013West Fork Fire ComplexWolf Creek PassThe second largest fire in Colorado history by area. Started June 20, 2013; forced evacuation of entire town of South Fork, Colorado. The fire is composed of three subsidiary fires that merged: West Fork fire, Papoose fire and Windy Pass fire. Cause: Lightning.
2014Alkali fireMoffat County near Maybell, Colorado
2015Gutterson Ranch fireU.S. 34 north of Keenesburg, Colorado
2016Beaver Creek fireNorthwestern Jackson County, Colorado, Routt National ForestBurned from June until October on the Colorado-Wyoming state line.
2016Hayden Pass fireSan Isabel National Forest southwest of Coaldale, Colorado
2016Beulah Hill fireBeulah, ColoradoDestroyed 14 structures.
2016Junkins fireSan Isabel National Forest west of Beulah, ColoradoDestroyed 26 structures.
2017Logan fireLogan County, ColoradoFanned by strong winds, the fire killed hundreds of cattle and destroyed 15 structures.
2017Peekaboo fireNorthwest Moffat County, ColoradoCause: Lightning/natural.
2017Dead Dog fireRangely, Colorado
2017Peak 2 fireBreckenridge, ColoradoAlthough small, this fire was forced the evacuation of 463 homes near Breckenridge, Colorado.
2018Stateline fireLas Animas County, Colorado and Union County, New MexicoStarted in New Mexico and burned into Colorado. Blackened over 28,000 acres.
2018MM 117 fireEl Paso County, Colorado
2018Badger Hole fireWalsh, ColoradoBurned a total of 50,815 acres in Colorado and Kansas. Destroyed 24 structures.
201854,129 Acres416 & Burro Fire ComplexDurango, ColoradoThe fire started June 1st, 2018 about 10 miles north of Durango, Colorado.
2018108,045 AcresSpring Creek FireFort Garland, Colorado / La Veta, Colorado / Sangre de Cristo MountainsThe fire started June 27th, 2018 about 9 miles NE of Ft. Garland, CO. The fire reached 108,045 acres of burned area. It was declared 100% contained on September 10, 2018. More than 140 homes were lost to the fire. At least 120 others have been damaged. The fire was human caused and the suspect faces 141 counts of first-degree arson — one count for each home destroyed by the fire.
201813,023 AcresWeston Pass FireFairplay, Colorado-
2018Divide fireMoffat County, Colorado
2018Silver Creek fireNorthwest of Kremmling, Colorado
2018Lake Christine FireBasalt, Colorado
2018Plateau fireMcPhee Reservoir
2018Bull Draw fireNorth of Nucla, Colorado
2019Decker fireRio Grande National Forest and San Isabel National Forest south of Salida, ColoradoCaused by lightning in early September and was allowed to burn while being supervised in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Fire flared up jumping Methodist Mt. threatening homes south of Salida.