Largest Colorado Wildfires and How the Alexander Mountain, Stone Canyon Blazes Compare

The Alexander Mountain fire is burning through northern Colorado in areas west of Loveland, engulfing almost 6,000 acres as of early July 31, according to the U.S Forest Service.

The wildfire grew by around 5,000 acres from Tuesday to Wednesday morning, and has led to multiple road closures and evacuation orders in Larimer County. On Monday, July 29, a DC-10 air tanker arrived from Washington, D.C., to help fight the flames, but as of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, officials said the fire was 0 percent contained.

“Multiple air resources dropped water and fire retardant throughout the day yesterday. Over 200 ground resources are on scene working with aviation assets. Airplanes and helicopters will be working to help secure the fire perimeter and protect values at risk,” an incident report from the Forest Service reads. “High temperatures and low humidity are expected throughout the day with near critical fire weather over the fire area. Significant smoke is expected over the next few days, with heavier impacts in the morning to sensitive populations.”

The cause of the Alexander Mountain fire has not been determined. Governor Jared Polis is heading to Loveland today to meet with frontline firefighters.

By Tuesday, July 30, another wildfire had ignited in northern Colorado. According to Boulder County officials, the Stone Canyon Fire was burning in Eagle Ridge, near the town of Lyons, at an estimated size of around 1,320 acres as of 7 a.m. Wednesday. The fire has already destroyed two homes in the area, according to multiple media reports. See an evacuation map for both fires below.

Wildfires in Colorado have become increasingly common during the summer — although the dry climate and high winds have resulted in plenty of blazing destruction in winter, as well. According to the state Division of Fire Prevention & Control, all twenty of Colorado’s largest recorded wildfires have occurred since 2001, with the three largest all happening in 2020.

Find a list of Colorado’s largest wildfires and most destructive blazes below.

Largest Wildfires in Colorado

1) Cameron Peak Fire, 2020
208,913 acres burned

2) East Troublesome Fire, 2020
193,812 acres burned

3) Pine Gulch Fire, 2020
139,007 acres burned

4) Hayman Fire, 2002
137,760 acres burned

5) Spring Creek Fire, 2018
108,045 acres burned

6) High Park Fire, 2012
87,284 acres burned

7) Missionary Ridge Fire, 2002
70,285 acres burned

8) West Fork Fire, 2013
58,570 acres burned

9) 416 Fire, 2018
54,129 acres burned

10) Papoose Fire, 2013
49,628 acres burned

Most Homes Lost in a Colorado Wildfire

1) Marshall Fire, 2021
1,084 homes lost

2) Black Forest Fire, 2013
489 homes lost

3) East Troublesome Fire, 2020
366 homes lost

4) Waldo Canyon Fire, 2012
346 homes lost

5) High Park Fire, 2012
259 homes lost