List of Colorado wildfires

This is a list of the most extensive, most destructive, and deadliest Colorado wildfires that have occurred in modern history.Colorado State Forest Service. Wildfire Policy in Transition: Where There's Smoke, There's Mirrors.

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,Colorado State Forest Service. Colorado Wildfires, State & Private Lands, 1978–2009. Colorado State Forest Service.Colorado Wildfires Broken Down By Decade (with charts). until the Pine Gulch Fire surpassed it in August 2020.Pine Gulch fire becomes largest in Colorado history as firefighters near full containment, Colorado Sun, August 27, 2020, accessed August 28, 2020. 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.Associated Press (June 29, 2012). Obama declares disaster in Colorado as fires burn. Fox News The 2013 Colorado forest fires, fueled by high heat and winds, 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 .

According to CSU, wildfires in Colorado burned less than per decade over the 1960s and the 1970s. For the 1980s and 1990s, the total was over per decade. For the 2000s, the total was approximately .

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.

Background 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 .

Area burned per year

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.

Year Fires Acres 19952,22432,011 19961,80046,600 19971,60516,703 19981,4288,826 19991,97833,255 20002,04376,288 20012,96645,816 20024,600619,029 20033,95743,858 20042,81435,303 20052,96941,048 20064,515214,979 20073,91426,515 20082,883149,891 20093,99174,549 20104,28980,708 20115,203176,720 20126,114426,403 20134,906222,916 20143,73323,357 20153,44226,318 20165,572122,517 20176,036111,284 20187,092467,424 20197,31853,744 20206,716744,120 20216,67956,056 20228,37056,403 20237,17540,996 20248,54136,207 5-year average6,27395,342

The ten most extensive Colorado wildfires

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

Rank Name County Acres Start date Deaths Notes1Cameron PeakLarimer208,913 4696 Burned over a span of 112 days. All deaths occurred in post-fire flood events related to the fire. Four people died in 2021, and two people died in 2022 from post-fire flash flood and debris flow events. 2East TroublesomeGrand, Larimer193,812 5552 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.3Pine GulchMesa, Garfield139,007 10Briefly became the largest wildfire in Colorado history.4HaymanDouglas, Jefferson, Park, Teller138,114 6006Held 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.5Lee FireRio Blanco137,758 706.West Fork ComplexHinsdale, Mineral109,61500Consists of multiple wildfires that burned in close proximity, including the West Fork Fire (58,570 acres) and the Papoose Fire (49,628 acres).7Spring CreekCostilla, Huerfano108,045 14008Aspen AcresCuster, Pueblo101,921850On August 16, Henry Humphreys of Beulah drowned as a flash flood raged through the Aspen Acres burn scar.Destroyed over 850 structures including 319 homes.9High ParkLarimer87,415 259110Missionary RidgeLa Plata73,000 471

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

Rank Name County Acres Start date Deaths Notes1MarshallBoulder6,026 1,091 2 1,084 homes and 7 commercial buildings were destroyed, all within a 24-hour period beginning early on December 30.2Aspen AcresCuster, Pueblo101,921850Destroyed over 850 structures including 319 homes.3HaymanDouglas, Jefferson, Park, Teller138,114 600 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.4East TroublesomeGrand, Larimer193,812 555 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.5Black ForestEl Paso14,280 489 2 Was the most destructive fire in terms of number of homes lost until the Marshall Fire.6Cameron PeakLarimer208,913 4696 Burned over a span of 112 days. All deaths occurred in post-fire flood events related to the fire. Four people died in 2021, and two people died in 2022 from post-fire flash flood and debris flow events. 7Waldo CanyonEl Paso18,247 346 28High ParkLarimer87,415 259 19Four Mile CanyonBoulder5,700 162010Spring CreekCostilla, Huerfano108,045 1400

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

Rank Name County Acres Start date Deaths Notes1South CanyonGarfield2,115 0 14All 14 deaths were firefighters.2Stable/Cheyenne MountainEl Paso32,000 89 9The wildfire spread rapidly with 70 mph gusts and threatened the Broadmoor Hotel.3Cameron PeakLarimer208,913 4696 Burned over a span of 112 days. All deaths occurred in post-fire flood events related to the fire. Four people died in 2021, and two people died in 2022 from post-fire flash flood and debris flow events. 4HaymanDouglas, Jefferson, Park, Teller138,114 600 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.5SnyderMesa, Grand (UT)28,264 04Knowles Fire kills four helitack firefighters in burnover entrapment.

List of Colorado wildfires

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