Wildfire (Kolmården Wildlife Park)

Wildfire is a wooden roller coaster at Kolmården Wildlife Park located in Kolmården, Sweden. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, the roller coaster is both the fastest wooden coaster in Europe, and the joint-tallest wooden coaster in the world.^[1][2][3] Throughout the 2-minute ride, trains travel through three inversions and twelve airtime hills, whilst reaching speeds of up to 115 kilometres per hour (71 mph).

Wildfire
Kolmården Wildlife Park
Location	Kolmården Wildlife Park
Coordinates	58°39′55″N 16°27′59″E
Status	Operating
Opening date	28 June 2016 (2016-06-28)
Cost	110 million SEK ($11,990,000 USD as of August 2018)
General statistics
Type	Wood
Manufacturer	Rocky Mountain Construction
Designer	Alan Schilke
Model	Topper Track - Custom
Track layout	Terrain
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	56 m (184 ft)
Drop	49 m (161 ft)
Length	1,265 m (4,150 ft)
Speed	115 km/h (71 mph)
Inversions	3
Duration	2:00
Max vertical angle	83°
Capacity	960 riders per hour
G-force	4
Trains	2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Website	Official website
Wildfire at RCDB

History

In April 2014, Wildfire was revealed in a press release on Kolmården's official website. The roller coaster was Rocky Mountain Construction's first in Europe, and Vekoma manufactured the power and control systems of the ride.^[3] On 28 October 2016, the coaster ceased operations after only one season when its permit was revoked by the government citing environmental concerns. Speculation ensued that the ride may be torn down as a result. On 28 January 2017, a report surfaced that Wildfire would be allowed to remain standing while a license to continue operation was being discussed. The zoning for the roller coaster was officially approved by the county's council in March 2017, and Wildfire reopened in June 2017.^[4]

Ride experience

After the train is checked and dispatched, it makes a sharp right hand turn into the 187-foot (57 m) chain lift hill. Once at the crest, it enters a right hand banked turn before passing over another crest and into the first drop. The train then drops 160-foot (49 m), reaching an 83-degree angle and its maximum speed of 71 miles per hour (114 km/h); before banking up into its first element, an inverted Zero-G stall. From here the train twists through two airtime hills and two high banked turns before encountering its next inversion, a heartline roll. Following this, the track descends to ground level as it passes through several more strong airtime hills, prior to a second heartline roll. The ride finishes with a ski-slalom style right to left section before hitting the brakes and returning to the station.^[5]

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters

Year	2016	2017	2018	2019	2021	2022	2023	2024
Ranking	28[6]	29[7]	17[8]	16[9]	17 (tie)[10]	15[11]	13[12]	19[13]