2023 Colorado wildfires

The 2023 Colorado wildfire season was a series of wildfires that have been burning throughout the U.S. state of Colorado.

2023 Colorado wildfires
Statistics[1]
Total fires	6,503
Total area	16,190 acres (6,550 ha)
Impacts
Damage	Unknown
Season
← 2022 2024 →

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 237,500 acres (96,100 ha).^[2]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.

Name	County	Acres	Start date	Containment date	Notes	Ref
403	Gunnison	1,096	March 31	April 13	The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) did not document information about this wildfire.	[3][4]
Gageby Creek	Bent	4,600	April 19	April 28	The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) did not document information about this wildfire.	[5][6][7]
Spring Creek	Garfield	3,256	July 24	October 1		[8]
Lowline	Gunnison	1,999	July 26	December 13	Lightning-caused.	[9][10]
Bear Creek	Hinsdale	1,093	July 28	2023	Caused by lightning about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Pagosa Springs.	[11][12]
Little Mesa	Delta	4,009	July 31	September 20		[13]
Quartz Ridge	Archuleta	2,850	August 5	October 30		[14]
Dry Lake	Archuleta	1,372	August 30	September 12		[15]

See also

• Colorado State Forest Service
• List of Colorado wildfires
• 2023 California wildfires
• 2023 New Mexico wildfires
• 2023 Oregon wildfires
• 2023 Arizona wildfires