x
Breaking News
More () »

Here's a look at all the wildfires burning in Colorado right now

Multiple fall wildfires continue to burn in Colorado, but with increased containment following an unusually warm and dry October.

COLORADO, USA — Despite some significant snowfall in the areas where several major wildfires are burning, it won't be enough to bring an end to Colorado's historic wildfire season just yet.

Increased containment has been reported for the wildfires that continue to burn across Colorado. While there has been no new recent major growth, as a dry weather pattern continues. 

This year's fire season has had three of the largest-recorded wildfires in Colorado's history and has led to the evacuation of hundreds of homes and damage to numerous structures everywhere from far northern Colorado to the Western Slope and now to Boulder County. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed.

At times, the smoke has led to poor air quality along the Front Range. Click here for the latest air quality alerts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is closing all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder and Larimer counties due to "unprecedented and historic fire conditions." 

Those closures will be evaluated based on conditions in the coming days. 

Rocky Mountain National Park is also closed to the public until further notice. 

RELATED: How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

RELATED: Wildfires have burned more than 500 square miles in Colorado so far this year

Below is a roundup of all of the wildfires currently burning in Colorado and a look at the latest coverage from 9NEWS.  

Complete wildfire coverage: https://9news.com/wildfires.

Cameron Peak Fire

Size: 208,913 acres (323 square miles)

Containment: 94%

Date started: Aug. 13

Information: Now the largest wildfire in Colorado history, the Cameron Peak Fire survived a Labor Day snowstorm and continued to grow over two months southeast toward the foothills west of Fort Collins and Loveland, as well as near Estes Park and into Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Increased winds were reported across the fire area on Monday, but no growth was seen. Firefighters continue to strengthen the containment lines in the Pingree Park area and around the North Fork Trail.

Some portions of Roosevelt National Forest opened on Sunday as a result of increased containment. All campgrounds are closed. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced on Oct. 24 that Colorado Highway 14 has reopened between Fort Collins and Walden after a two-month closure.

CDOT says fire activity has diminished in the area, but crews still need to clear debris from the shoulders, along with other work to prepare the road for winter snow season.

It destroyed 442 structures, about half of which were homes or cabins. All mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders for the fire were lifted on Monday, Nov. 2.

Click here for the latest information on evacuations and national forest closures. 

RELATED: Number of cabins, residences and structures burned in Cameron Peak Fire released

East Troublesome Fire

Size: 193,812 acres (about 303 square miles)

Containment: 47%

Date started: Oct. 14 

Information: The East Troublesome Fire, burning in Grand and Larimer counties, has burned aggressively since Wednesday, Oct. 22, surpassing 193,000 acres, according to fire officials. It's now the second-largest fire in state history.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, crews remained in camp to monitor gusty winds, road conditions and snow cover in the fire area. Because of the snow and safety issues, firefighting crews remained in camp and are expected to leave Wednesday and hand the fire's management over to the local fire departments. 

Multiple evacuations were lifted after it threatened population centers ranging from Estes Park to Grand Lake. 

Here is 9NEWS' latest coverage of the fire: 

Click here for the latest information on evacuations and national forest closures.

CalWood Fire

Credit: Aiden Wooley

Size: 10,106 acres (16 square miles) 

Containment: 100%

Date started: Oct. 17 

Information: The CalWood Fire burned roughly 16 square miles of land in the foothills northwest of Boulder — the largest-recorded wildfire in the county. The fire has damaged 26 homes and led to the evacuation of roughly 3,000 people, including the entire town of Jamestown. The evacuation orders have been lifted and residents affected by this fire can return to their homes. 

Click here for the latest information on evacuations, closures and more. 

RELATED: CalWood Fire in Boulder County now 100% contained

RELATED: Calwood Fire forces Red Cross volunteer since 1974 to evacuate his Boulder home

> Watch below: How big of a threat are wildland fires to major cities?

Lefthand Canyon Fire

Credit: KUSA
Lefthand Canyon Fire in Boulder County

Size: 460 acres (0.71 square miles)

Containment: 100%

Date started: Oct. 18 

Information: The Lefthand Canyon Fire led to numerous evacuations in the foothills west of Boulder. 

Click here for the latest emergency updates. 

RELATED: Lefthand Canyon Fire in Boulder County is fully contained

Williams Fork Fire

Credit: David Childs
Williams Fork Fire

Size: 14,833 acres (23 square miles) 

Containment: 76% 

Date started: Aug. 14 

Information: The Williams Fork Fire is burning about 10 miles southwest of Fraser. Fire officials said it is believed to be human-caused. The remote and rugged location has been difficult for firefighters to access. The fuels are critically dry due to prolonged drought and the primary fuel is dense stands of spruce fir. No evacuation notices or pre-evacuation notices are in effect for the Williams Fork Fire.

Click here for the latest information on national forest and road closures for the fire. 

RELATED: Williams Fork Fire in Grand County 36% contained, 14,833 acres burned

Middle Fork Fire

Size: 20,433 acres (32 square miles) 

Containment: 60%

Date started: Sept. 6 

Information: The Middle Fork Fire 10 miles north of Steamboat continues to burn. Firefighters are working to build containment lines and extinguish hot spots as quickly and safely as possible. There are no evacuation or pre-evacuation orders in effect for Routt County. Pre-evacs are in place in Jackson County for Rainbow Lakes, Aqua Fria, as well as Teal and Tiago Lakes areas. Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in Routt and Jackson counties. 

Read more about the fire and pre-evacuation orders here.

RELATED: Record drought puts Colorado farmers and ranchers on front line of climate change

Ice Fire

Size: 596 acres (0.93 square miles) 

Containment: 100%

Date started: Oct. 19

Information: The Ice Fire burned near the Ice Lakes Trailhead, outside of Silverton. A hotshot crew and air crews are working to contain the fire. There were 23 hikers that were found in the area and evacuated by helicopter. Firefighters are working to prevent the fire from spreading toward US Highway 550. 

RELATED: Hikers evacuated from Ice Fire burning near Silverton

Mullen Fire

Credit: Zach Alexander, USFS
A look at burning on the outer ring of the Mullen Fire on Oct. 1.

Size: 176,878 acres (276 square miles) 

Containment: 97%

Date started: Sept. 17 

Information: The Mullen Fire started burning in the Medicine Bow Mountains 38 miles west of Laramie, Wyoming, and has crossed the Colorado border into parts of Jackson and Larimer counties, prompting numerous evacuations that have since been lifted. 

Click here for the latest information on evacuations and national forest closures. 

RELATED: Mullen Fire in Colorado and Wyoming grows

Grizzly Creek Fire

Credit: Grizzly Creek Fire @fire_grizzly Twitter
Grizzly Creek Fire east of Glenwood Springs, Colo. on Aug. 18, 2020.

Size: 32,631 acres (51 square miles)

Containment: 91%

Date started: Aug. 10

Information: This human-caused fire continues to burn in spots after it was first sparked off Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon. During its early stages, it led to evacuations in the area, closed the highway and threatened Hanging Lake. Weeks later, 13 firefighters continue to monitor the blaze and are working to suppress any potential flare-ups. Earlier this year, the Grizzly Creek Fire was considered a "top national priority."

Click here for the latest information about the fire. 

RELATED: New photos show how close Grizzly Creek Fire is to Hanging Lake

Pine Gulch Fire

Size: 139,007 acres (217 square miles)

Containment: 100%

Date started: July 31

Information: Up until October, the lightning-caused Pine Gulch Fire 18 miles north of Grand Junction was the largest in Colorado history. It is now fully contained, after rapid growth and numerous evacuations.

RELATED: Pine Gulch Fire, largest in state history, 100% contained

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Colorado wildfires

Before You Leave, Check This Out