2023 Colorado wildfires | |
---|---|
Statistics [1] | |
Total fires | 6,503 |
Total area | 16,190 acres (6,550 ha) |
Impacts | |
Damage | Unknown |
Season | |
← 2022 2024 → |
The 2023 Colorado wildfire season was a series of wildfires that have been burning throughout the U.S. state of Colorado.
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]
![]() | This section needs to be updated.(July 2024) |
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 [a] | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
403 | Gunnison | 1,096 | March 31 | April 13 | The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) did not document information about this wildfire. | [4] [5] |
Gageby Creek | Bent | 4,600 | April 19 | April 28 | The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) did not document information about this wildfire. | [6] [7] [8] |
Spring Creek | Garfield | 3,256 | July 24 | October 1 | [9] | |
Lowline | Gunnison | 1,999 | July 26 | December 13 | Lightning-caused. | [10] [11] |
Bear Creek | Hinsdale | 1,093 | July 28 | 2023 | Caused by lightning about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Pagosa Springs. | [12] [13] |
Little Mesa | Delta | 4,009 | July 31 | September 20 | [14] | |
Quartz Ridge | Archuleta | 2,850 | August 5 | October 30 | [15] | |
Dry Lake | Archuleta | 1,372 | August 30 | September 12 | [16] |