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List of Colorado wildfires

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A map showing the location of the U.S. state of Colorado
The location of the state of Colorado in the United States

This is a list of the most extensive, most destructive, and deadliest Colorado wildfires that have occurred in modern history.[1]

During the severe 2002 Colorado wildfire season that burned nearly 619,029 acres, the Hayman Fire at 137,760 acres became the largest wildfire in Colorado state history. It held that title for nearly 20 years,[2][3] until the Pine Gulch Fire surpassed it in August 2020.[4] The Cameron Peak Fire became the largest wildfire in Colorado history seven weeks later, and ended up burning a total of 208,913 acres.

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.[5] The 2013 Colorado forest fires, fueled by high heat and winds,[6] again broke the record for the most destructive, and included what was the second largest fire (by area) in Colorado history, until being surpassed by several fires in 2020. With multiple record-breaking fires, the 2020 Colorado wildfire season became the largest in the state's history after burning 665,454 acres (269,300 ha).[7]

According to CSU, wildfires in Colorado burned less than 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) per decade over the 1960s and the 1970s. For the 1980s and 1990s, the total was over 200,000 acres (80,937 ha) per decade. For the 2000s, the total was approximately 200,000 acres (80,937 ha).

Historically, FEMA has helped with recovery efforts. However, in April of 2026, for the first time in 35 years, FEMA has denied federal assistance as part of a major disaster. In August of 2025 the Lee and Elk fires, along with mudslides in Rio Blanco County, caused approximately $27 million in initial damage, and the flooding caused over $13 million.[8]

Background

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While "fire season" varies every year based on different weather conditions, most wildfires occur between May and September with a fire risk year-round with an increasing danger during winter. Drought and decreasing snowpack levels and lowering snowmelt and runoff increase fire risk. These conditions, along with increased temperatures and decreased humidity, are becoming more common from climate change. Vegetation growth provides an ample fuel for fires. From 2011 to 2020, Colorado experiences an average of 5,618 wildfires each year that collectively burn about 237,500 acres (96,100 ha).[9]

Area burned per year

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Starting in 2000, the National Interagency Fire Center began keeping more accurate records on the total fire acreage burned in each state, and has statistics going back to 1995.[10]

Year Fires Acres Ref
1995 2,224 32,011 [11]
1996 1,800 46,600 [11]
1997 1,605 16,703 [11]
1998 1,428 8,826 [11]
1999 1,978 33,255 [11]
2000 2,043 76,288 [11]
2001 2,966 45,816 [12]
2002 4,600 619,029 [13]
2003 3,957 43,858 [14]
2004 2,814 35,303 [15]
2005 2,969 41,048 [16]
2006 4,515 214,979 [17]
2007 3,914 26,515 [18]
2008 2,883 149,891 [19]
2009 3,991 74,549 [20]
2010 4,289 80,708 [21]
2011 5,203 176,720 [22]
2012 6,114 426,403 [23]
2013 4,906 222,916 [24]
2014 3,733 23,357 [25]
2015 3,442 26,318 [26]
2016 5,572 122,517 [27]
2017 6,036 111,284 [28]
2018 7,092 467,424 [29]
2019 7,318 53,744 [30]
2020 6,716 744,120 [31]
2021 6,679 56,056 [32]
2022 8,370 56,403 [33]
2023 7,175 40,996 [34]
2024 8,541 36,207 [35]
5-year average 6,273 95,342 [35]

The ten most extensive Colorado wildfires

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As of July 2026, the ten most extensive wildfires in Colorado have been:

Rank Name County Acres Start date Struc­tures Deaths Notes
1 Cameron Peak Larimer 208,913 August 2020 469 6 Burned over a span of 112 days.[36][37] All deaths occurred in post-fire flood events related to the fire. Four people died in 2021,[38] and two people died in 2022[39] from post-fire flash flood and debris flow events.
2 East Troublesome Grand, Larimer 193,812 October 2020 555 2 The wildfire ran more than 100,000 acres in one day and jumped over the Continental Divide, prompting an evacuation of the entire town of Estes Park.[40]
3 Pine Gulch Mesa, Garfield 139,007 July 2020 1 0 Briefly became the largest wildfire in Colorado history.[41]
4 Hayman Douglas, Jefferson, Park, Teller 138,114 June 2002 600 6 Held the title of the largest wildfire in Colorado for 18 years. Five deaths were firefighters who died in an accident en route to the fire.[42]
5 Lee Fire Rio Blanco 137,758 August 2025 7 0 [43][44]
6. West Fork Complex Hinsdale, Mineral 109,615 June 2013 0 0 Consists of multiple wildfires that burned in close proximity, including the West Fork Fire (58,570 acres) and the Papoose Fire (49,628 acres).[45]
7 Spring Creek Costilla, Huerfano 108,045 June 2018 140 0 [46]
8 Aspen Acres Custer, Pueblo 101,921 June 2026 850 0 Destroyed over 850 structures including 319 homes.[47]
9 High Park Larimer 87,415 June 2012 259 1 [48]
10 Missionary Ridge La Plata 73,000 June 2002 47 1 [49]

The ten most destructive Colorado wildfires

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As of July 2026, the ten most destructive wildfires in Colorado have been:

Rank Name County Acres Start date Struc­tures Deaths Notes
1 Marshall Boulder 6,026 December 2021 1,091 2 1,084 homes and 7 commercial buildings were destroyed, all within a 24-hour period beginning early on December 30.[50][51]
2 Aspen Acres Custer, Pueblo 101,921 June 2026 850 0 Destroyed over 850 structures including 319 homes.[47]
3 Hayman Douglas, Jefferson, Park, Teller 138,114 June 2002 600 6 Held the title of the largest wildfire in Colorado for 18 years. Five deaths were firefighters who died in an accident en route to the fire.[42]
4 East Troublesome Grand, Larimer 193,812 October 2020 555 2 The wildfire ran more than 100,000 acres in one day and jumped over the Continental Divide, prompting an evacuation of the entire town of Estes Park.[40]
5 Black Forest El Paso 14,280 June 2013 489 2 Was the most destructive fire in terms of number of homes lost until the Marshall Fire.[52]
6 Cameron Peak Larimer 208,913 August 2020 469 6 Burned over a span of 112 days.[36][37] All deaths occurred in post-fire flood events related to the fire. Four people died in 2021,[38] and two people died in 2022[39] from post-fire flash flood and debris flow events.
7 Waldo Canyon El Paso 18,247 June 2012 346 2 [53]
8 High Park Larimer 87,415 June 2012 259 1 [48]
9 Four Mile Canyon Boulder 5,700 September 2010 162 0 [54]
10 Spring Creek Costilla, Huerfano 108,045 June 2018 140 0 [46]

The five deadliest Colorado wildfires

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As of July 2026, these are the wildfires that have resulted in four or more deaths in Colorado:

Rank Name County Acres Start date Struc­tures Deaths Notes
1 South Canyon Garfield 2,115 July 1994 0 14 All 14 deaths were firefighters.[55]
2 Stable/Cheyenne Mountain El Paso 32,000 January 1950 89 9 The wildfire spread rapidly with 70 mph gusts and threatened the Broadmoor Hotel.[56]
3 Cameron Peak Larimer 208,913 August 2020 469 6 Burned over a span of 112 days.[36][37] All deaths occurred in post-fire flood events related to the fire. Four people died in 2021,[38] and two people died in 2022[39] from post-fire flash flood and debris flow events.
4 Hayman Douglas, Jefferson, Park, Teller 138,114 June 2002 600 6 Held the title of the largest wildfire in Colorado for 18 years. Five deaths were firefighters who died in an accident en route to the fire.[42]
5 Snyder Mesa, Grand (UT) 28,264 June 2026 0 4 Knowles Fire kills four helitack firefighters in burnover entrapment.[57]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Colorado State Forest Service. Wildfire Policy in Transition: Where There's Smoke, There's Mirrors. Archived June 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ Colorado State Forest Service. Colorado Wildfires, State & Private Lands, 1978–2009. Archived June 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Colorado State Forest Service.Colorado Wildfires Broken Down By Decade (with charts). Archived June 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Pine Gulch fire becomes largest in Colorado history as firefighters near full containment, Colorado Sun, August 27, 2020, accessed August 28, 2020.
  5. ↑ Associated Press (June 29, 2012). Obama declares disaster in Colorado as fires burn. Fox News
  6. ↑ "Fire 30% contained, 473 homes burned". Denver Post. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  7. ↑ Ingold, John (October 20, 2020). "Five charts that show where 2020 ranks in Colorado wildfire history". Colorado Sun. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  8. ↑ Kim ·, Caitlyn (April 14, 2026). "Colorado will not receive FEMA aid for last year's fires and flooding". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Colorado Fire Season: In-Depth Guide". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Intelligence". National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  35. 1 2 "Seasonal Narrative" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  36. 1 2 3 Nicholson, Kieran. "A total of 469 structures were destroyed or damaged by Cameron Peak fire". Denver Post. Denver Post. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  37. 1 2 3 "Cameron Peak Fire". Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed. Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  38. 1 2 3 Schmelzer, Elise (June 26, 2021). "Third body recovered from Poudre Canyon flood as coroner identifies two of deceased". Denver Post. Denver Post. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  39. 1 2 3 Hager, Alex. "Two killed in flash flooding west of Fort Collins". NPR News, Colorado Stories. NPR News. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  40. 1 2 "East Troublesome Fire, Northern Colorado". East Troublesome Fire, Northern Colorado. National Weather Service. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Pine Gulch Fire, Western Colorado". Pine Gulch Fire, Western Colorado. National Weather Service Grand Junction. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  42. 1 2 3 "Case Study, Hayman Fire". American Planning Association. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  43. ↑ Contreras, Óscar (August 26, 2025). "Lee Fire burning near Meeker remains fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado history". Denver7. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  44. ↑ Krause, David. "Lee fire now 5th-largest in state history, burning more than 113k acres in northwestern Colorado". Colorado Sun. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  45. ↑ "West Fork Fire Complex". US Forest Service. US Forest Service. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  46. 1 2 "Spring Fire now officially 100 percent contained". KOAA NEWS5. KOAA. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  47. 1 2 "Latest damage assessment of Aspen Acres fire lowers total homes destroyed, containment hits 61%". The Gazette. July 17, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  48. 1 2 "Learn from the Burn: The High Park fire 5 years later" (PDF). US Forest Service. US Forest Service. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  49. ↑ Hannon, Aedon. "20 years later: Missionary Ridge Fire torched homes, devastated lives and taught us lessons". Durango Herald. Durango Herald. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Boulder County releases updated list of structures damaged and destroyed in the Marshall Fire". Boulder County. Boulder County. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Looking back at Colorado's Marshall Fire". NOAA. NOAA. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  52. ↑ "Black Forest Fire Investigation Executive Summary 13-7655" (PDF). El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
  53. ↑ "Waldo Canyon Fire, Final After Action Report" (PDF). City of Colorado Springs. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  54. ↑ Russell, Graham. "Fourmile Canyon Fire Findings" (PDF). USDA. USDA.
  55. ↑ "South Canyon Fire". South Canyon Fire. South Canyon Fire Committee.
  56. ↑ "Stable Fire Entrapment Fatalities 1950". Wildfire.gov. Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  57. ↑ "4th firefighter dies from burn injuries battling Colorado's Knowles wildfire". CBS News. July 25, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
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38°59′50″N 105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado)

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