2013 Colorado wildfires

Wildfire season in Colorado, United States May 2025 February 2025 2013 Colorado wildfires WestForkFireComplexCloseup61913.jpg The West Fork Complex fire viewed from aboard the International Space Station on June 19, 2013 2 National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2013_Statssumm/fires_acres13.pdf National Interagency Fire Center 30 August 2016 11 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190111004023/https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2013_Statssumm/fires_acres13.pdf dead yes 2013 Colorado wildfires 1,176 195,145 acres km2 In the summer of 2013, there were several major wildfires in Colorado in the United States. During June and July, record high temperatures and dry conditions fueled the fires all across the state. By July 24, 570 structures had been destroyed and 2 people died. Below is a list of the major fires of the year.Photo at TwitPic Background List of Colorado wildfires 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 acre.Colorado Fire Season: In-Depth Guide https://wfca.com/wildfire-articles/colorado-fire-season/ wfca.com June 6, 2023 Western Fire Chiefs Association June 8, 2025 West Fork Complex fire West Fork Complex The West Fork Complex Fire started on June 5, and consisted of three fires, all caused by lightning: the Windy Pass Fire, the West Fork Fire, and the Papoose Fire. The fire grew fast through pine beetle-killed trees, and threatened the town of South Fork only 0.5 mi km on us away. The fire burned only one structure, and reached 109,615 acres as of July 23.https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/06/23/Colorados-West-Fork-fire-complex-burns-70262-acres/UPI-81541372017174/ United Press International - Colorado June 23, 2013 UPI May 8, 2014 Ox Cart fire On June 8, the Ox Cart fire began from lightning 9 miles north of Villa Grove in Saguache County. No structures were burned in the fire, which scorched 1,152 acres. As of July 3, it was 100% contained.http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Information/newsroom/2013/ox_cart_fire_fully.html Ox Cart Fire fully contained (07-03-13) July 30, 2013 US Bureau of Land Management May 8, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140508222522/http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Information/newsroom/2013/ox_cart_fire_fully.html May 8, 2014 dead mdy-all thumb|right|220px|Smoke from the Big Meadows fire rises above the continental divide as seen from Trail Ridge Road. A Rocky Mountain elk stands in the foreground. Big Meadows fire The Big Meadows Fire started on June 10, about five miles north of Grand Lake, in Rocky Mountain National Park. The fire was caused by a lightning strike and was contained at 653 acres on June 24.http://www.nps.gov/romo/naturescience/big_meadows_fire.htm https://archive.today/20131109014308/http://www.nps.gov/romo/naturescience/big_meadows_fire.htm dead November 9, 2013 Big Meadows Fire - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service May 9, 2014 Royal Gorge fire A fire started one mile west of Cañon City near the Royal Gorge Park, on June 11. The same day, the high winds caused the fire to jump the gorge into the park, resulting in the loss of 48 structures. The famous Royal Gorge Bridge suffered minor damage; only 32 of the planks on the deck were burned. During the fire, 905 inmates from the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility were evacuated. 3,218 acres were burned as of June 17, and the cause remains unknown.http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/wildfire/after-the-fire-a-tour-of-the-damage-at-royal-gorge-bridge-and-park After the fire: A tour of the damage at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com Stewart Mark August 28, 2013 TheDenverChannel.com 7NEWS Denver May 9, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223347/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/wildfire/after-the-fire-a-tour-of-the-damage-at-royal-gorge-bridge-and-park May 12, 2014 dead mdy-all Black Forest fire Black Forest fire thumb|Black Forest fire as seen from the US Air Force Academy, two hours after first reported. The same day as the Royal Gorge Fire, a fire was sparked near Shoup Road and Darr Drive in Black Forest. The fire quickly grew to 8000 acre ha sqmi on acres by the next day. It destroyed 511 homes, and took the lives of two people. The fire eventually grew to 14280 acre ha sqmi on, and was fully contained by June 20.http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Black-Forest-Fire-100-Contained-212417151.html Black Forest Fire 100% Contained June 21, 2013 KKTV.com KKTV May 9, 2014 June 27, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130627104508/http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Black-Forest-Fire-100-Contained-212417151.html dead Until the Marshall Fire in 2021, the Black Forest fire was the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. The exact cause of the blaze is currently under investigation, but it is believed to be started by a human.https://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23626934/final-count-homes-destroyed-black-forest-fire-is Black Forest fire caused $85 million in damage to homes, assessor says Gurman Sadie July 9, 2013 August 26, 2013 Denver PostParker Ryan 2 confirmed dead in Black Forest fire; 379 homes destroyed http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23451177/black-forest-fire-evacuation-zone-expands-winds-lightning June 19, 2013 The Denver Post June 14, 2013 Jordan Steffen Zahira Torres dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130618143013/http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23451177/black-forest-fire-evacuation-zone-expands-winds-lightning June 18, 2013 East Peak fire East Peak fire The East Peak Fire began near the East Spanish Peak, 10 miles km southwest of Walsenburg, in Huerfano County. The town of Walsenburg was put on pre-evacuation while the fire spread out of control after June 19. Eleven structures were destroyed, and the fire was contained at 13572 acre ha sqmi on by July 4. The blaze was caused by lightning.http://www.fox21news.com/news/story.aspx?id=919421#.U3O0KVeZhaY East Peak Fire now 100% contained Ruiz Travis July 9, 2013 Fox News May 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140514234759/http://www.fox21news.com/news/story.aspx?id=919421#.U3O0KVeZhaY May 14, 2014 dead Ward Gulch fire The Ward Gulch Fire was caused by a lightning strike 3 miles north of Rifle Gap Reservoir on June 14. The fire grew to 485 acre ha sqmi off and was extinguished by June 21.http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3426/ InciWeb the Incident Information System: Ward Gulch June 21, 2013 inciweb.nwcg.gov May 14, 2014 May 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140514223841/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3426/ dead Lime Gulch fire The Lime Gulch Fire started on June 18 near Chair Rock, for which it was originally named, in Jefferson County near Buffalo Creek. The fire burned over the 2012 Lower North Fork burn scar. It was contained on June 23, and burned 511 acre ha sqmi off. The Lime Gulch Fire was started by lightning.http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3441/ InciWeb the Incident Information System: Lime Gulch Fire June 25, 2013 inciweb.nwcg.gov May 14, 2014 May 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140514221030/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3441/ dead Wild Rose fire The Wild Rose fire was caused by lightning, 21 miles south of Rangley on June 19. The fire burned 1067 acre ha sqmi off and was fully contained on June 23.http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3444/ InciWeb the Incident Information System: Wild Rose Fire June 24, 2013 inciweb.nwcg.gov May 14, 2014 May 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140514224957/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3444/ dead East Tschuddi fire On July 20, a lightning strike 20 mi km northwest of Meeker sparked the East Tschuddi Fire in Rio Blanco County. It burned 2,009 acre ha sqmi off acres, and was 90% contained by July 27. No homes were threatened by the fire.http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3545/ InciWeb the Incident Information System: East Tschuddi Fire July 27, 2013 inciweb.nwcg.gov May 14, 2014 May 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140514225206/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3545/ dead Citadel fire Also northwest of Meeker, in Moffat County, the Citadel Fire was caused by a lightning strike on July 21. The fire burned 1,851 acre ha sqmi off acres and was 90% contained as of July 27.http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3543/ InciWeb the Incident Information System: Citadel Fire July 27, 2013 inciweb.nwcg.gov May 14, 2014 May 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140514231102/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3543/ dead Red Canyon Fire The Red Canyon fire started August 12 a couple miles south of Glenwood Springs. The cause is yet to be determined and lightning is suspected. It burned 390 acre ha sqmi off and was 100% contained by August 16.http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3638/ InciWeb the Incident Information System: Red Canyon Fire August 18, 2013 inciweb.nwcg.gov May 14, 2014 October 11, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131011002629/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3638/ dead See also List of Colorado wildfires References External links Live blog: Colorado wildfires: Black Forest Fire, Royal Gorge Fire, Big Meadows fires, Denver Post Category:Wildfires in Colorado Category:2013 wildfires in the United States Category:2013 in Colorado Colorado, 2013