Colorado Wildfires
About wildfires in Colorado
Colorado has faced a string of record-breaking wildfires as warmer, drier conditions grip the Rocky Mountains. Fires threaten the forested Front Range foothills where millions live near Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, as well as the vast public lands of the Western Slope.
The state's three largest wildfires on record all burned in 2020 — the Cameron Peak, East Troublesome, and Pine Gulch fires. The 2021 Marshall Fire, though smaller, became the most destructive in state history, tearing through suburban neighborhoods near Boulder in winter and destroying more than 1,000 homes.
Our satellite tracker monitors every fire hotspot detected across Colorado in real time, from the high peaks to the eastern plains.
Colorado wildfire season
Colorado's fire season traditionally peaks in summer and early fall (June–September), when high-country forests dry out and afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning. But the destructive 2021 Marshall Fire burned in December, proving that with drought and strong winds, grass fires along the Front Range can ignite in almost any season.
The forested foothills and mountains hold the biggest timber fires, while the dry eastern plains carry fast, wind-driven grass fires.
Notable wildfires in history
- 2021 Marshall Fire
A wind-driven grass fire in December swept into suburban neighborhoods near Boulder, destroying more than 1,000 homes — the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.
- 2020 Cameron Peak Fire
The largest wildfire in Colorado history burned over 208,000 acres in the northern mountains west of Fort Collins during a record fire season.
- 2020 East Troublesome Fire
Growing explosively, this fire jumped the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park and became the state's second-largest on record.
- 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire
Burning into Colorado Springs, this fire destroyed nearly 350 homes and killed two people, a shock to the Front Range at the time.
Main causes & risk factors
- Hot, dry summers and deepening drought across the Rockies
- Summer lightning igniting remote high-country forests
- Strong downslope and chinook winds that drive grass fires
- Beetle-killed timber and dense forests loaded with fuel
- A booming wildland-urban interface along the Front Range
- Human ignitions from campfires, equipment, and vehicles
Safety & preparedness
- Check fire danger and county fire bans before campfires or outdoor burning
- Sign up for county emergency alerts and know at least two ways out
- Keep a go bag ready and clear defensible space around foothill homes
- Track the Air Quality Index during smoke and stay indoors when it's hazardous
- Report smoke or flames immediately by calling 911
Frequently asked questions
When is wildfire season in Colorado?
It usually peaks from June through September, but drought and strong winds can drive destructive grass fires along the Front Range even in winter, as the December 2021 Marshall Fire showed.
What was the largest wildfire in Colorado history?
The 2020 Cameron Peak Fire burned over 208,000 acres in the northern Rockies, making it the largest on record.
What was Colorado's most destructive fire?
The 2021 Marshall Fire near Boulder destroyed more than 1,000 homes — the most destructive in state history despite its relatively small size.
Where does this map's fire data come from?
Every hotspot comes from NASA's FIRMS system, using VIIRS satellites that detect active fires several times a day.
Is this Colorado wildfire map free?
Yes — it's completely free and needs no sign-up. You can track active fires across Colorado and the world in real time.