The 6 largest human-caused wildfires in Colorado's history
In a state that gets as dry as Colorado, fire safety is extremely important. Human-caused wildfires result in the destruction of thousands of acres of Centennial State wilderness every year. One source estimates that up to 90 percent of wildland fires across America may be caused by humans. Don't be the next person to start one – know how to be fire smart.
Here's a look at the largest "human-caused" wildfires the state has seen. In this case, "human-caused" includes fires caused by man-made items such as cars and trains.
Editor's Note: Determining the cause behind a wildfire can often be difficult. Note the included asterisk (*) with fires where the cause remains debated. Some fires may also be unintentionally omitted from this list due to lack of information still available.
6. Last Chance Kahnbarsst (Wikimedia Commons)
6. Last Chance Fire (2012)
The Last Chance Fire reached 22,800 acres just south of Last Chance, Colorado. It was started from the sparks of a tire blowout and damaged 11 structures.
Photo Credit: Kahnbarsst (Wikimedia Commons)
5. Beaver Creek Fire (2016) Photo Credit: US Forest Service.
5. Beaver Creek Fire (2016)
Eventually burning more than 38,000 acres, the Beaver Creek Fire was burning from June until October on the Colorado-Wyoming state line. A minor was eventually charged with sparking the blaze.
Photo Credit: US Forest Service.
4. 117 Fire Jerilee Bennett; The Gazette
4. The 117 Fire* (2018)
Burning two dozen homes as it spread across 42,795 acres, authorities believe that a dragging car muffler was likely behind a spark that lit dry grass on fire.
Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett; The Gazette
3. The 416 & Burro Complex Fire. Photo Credit: US Forest Service
3. The 416 & Burro Complex Fire* (2018)
Sparking in 2018, the cause of the 416 & Burro Complex Fire is heavily disputed. Federal officials claim that the fire was started by a local railroad and have sued the railroad for $25 million to help cover costs of firefighting, as well as pay for penalties and expenses. The railroad has denied being at fault.
Photo Credit: US Forest Service
2. Spring Creek Fire Burn scar Photo Credit Jeffrey Beall Wikimedia Commons
2. The Spring Creek Fire (2018)
Burning a total of 108,045 acres, the Spring Creek Fire was started by Danish citizen Jesper Jorgensen who was attempting to use a fire pit during an open fire ban. The fire destroyed more than 140 structures.
Jorgensen was arrested but soon declared mentally incompetent. His case was then delayed.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall (Wikimedia Commons)
1. Hayman Fire
1. The Hayman Fire (2002)
Eventually reaching an acreage of 138,114 acres, the Hayman Fire is the largest human-caused fire in Colorado's recorded history.
It was started during a total burn ban by a forestry technician with the US Forest Forest named Terry Barton. The reason Barton started the fire is disputed. She claims she was burning a letter from her estranged husband but a number of other theories exist, ranging from her starting the fire to put it out as a "hero" to her sparking the blaze to ensure she would be assigned to work in her home state over the summer months.
Fighting it cost approximately $40 million and it resulted in the deaths of six people, including five firefighters from Oregon named Zach Zigich, Retha Shirley, Jacob Martindale, Danial Rama, and Bart Bailey.
In this 2012 photo, Dutch Kleinhesselink holds up a photo of the hills in the backdrop burning during the Hayman Fire.
Photo Credit: Matt Steiner; The Gazette
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