The 2023 Colorado wildfire season was a series of wildfires that have been burning throughout the U.S. state of Colorado.
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 .
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef403Gunnison1,096The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) did not document information about this wildfire.Gageby CreekBent4,600The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) did not document information about this wildfire.Spring CreekGarfield3,256 LowlineGunnison1,999Lightning-caused. Bear CreekHinsdale1,0932023Caused by lightning about northwest of Pagosa Springs. Little MesaDelta4,009 Quartz RidgeArchuleta2,850 Dry LakeArchuleta1,372 HopeMontezuma1,290Lightning-caused. Burned northwest of Dolores.IronMoffat7,392Undetermined cause. Burned northwest of Craig.Trail SpringsArchuleta1,3582023Lighting-caused. Burned northwest of Pagosa Springs. Was 44% contained on November 24.
See also Colorado State Forest Service List of Colorado wildfires 2023 Arizona wildfires 2023 New Mexico wildfires 2023 Utah wildfires
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