GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Pine Gulch Fire on the Western Slope broke a record Thursday evening, becoming the largest wildfire in Colorado on record.
It is now 139,006 acres in size and 77% contained, according to the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team.
The state's 10 largest fires in history, ranked by acreage, are:
1. Pine Gulch Fire (2020): 139,006 acres
2. Hayman Fire (2002): 137,760 acres
3. Spring Fire (2018): 108,045 acres
4. High Park Fire (2012): 87,284 acres
5. Missionary Ridge Fire (2002): 72,962 acres
6. 416 Fire (2018): 54,000 acres
7. Bridger Fire (2008): 45,800 acres
8. Last Chance Fire (2012): 45,000 acres
9. Bear Springs/Callie Marie fires (2011): 44,662 acres
10. 117 Fire (2018): 42,795 acres
Note: The Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center said the West Fork Complex fire, which burned a total of 109,632 acres in 2013, is not included on this list since it involved three separate fires.
Before Thursday night, the Hayman Fire was the largest wildfire on record in the state. That fire, which broke out in 2002, burned 137,760 acres north of Lake George, and included Park, Jefferson, Douglas and Teller Counties. According to the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, it was one of the most severe wildfires in respect to burn intensity. It grew rapidly and destroyed 600 structures in its path, including 133 residences, one commercial building and 466 outbuildings. The fire was caused by humans and was contained and and controlled by the end of July 2002.
The Pine Gulch Fire started on July 31 about 18 miles north of Grand Junction. It was sparked by lightning.
#PineGulchFire MCSO’s Undersheriff and Emergency Manager were able to fly the perimeter of the Pine Gulch Fire to veiw the active fire line and assess the damage to the region. Here’s video from their flight yesterday. pic.twitter.com/PuYtYViN4Q
— Mesa County Sheriff (@SheriffMesaColo) August 27, 2020
The following roads are under evacuation orders:
- 4A Ridge Road/County Road 256
- Salt Wash (205), King Road/County Road 258
- Clear Creek Road/County Road 211
- Carr Creek Road/County Road 207
- Kimball Creek Road/County Road 202
A pre-evacuation order is in effect for:
- All residents of Garfield County west of CO-139 to the Utah border
- Any formerly evacuated residents
Click here for details on evacuations in Garfield County. There are no pre-evacuation or evacuation orders in Mesa County.
In addition to evacuations, there are road closures around the fire as well, including:
- Roan Creek Road/County Road 204 at North Dry Fork/County Road 20
- The V 2/10 Road at the 44 Road
- Coal Canyon Road just past the Cameo Shooting Range
- 21 Road north of the Bureau of Land Management boundary
- 16 Road at V 8/10 Road
- Q 5/10 Road is closed at 18 Road
- Bureau of Land Management lands north of Loma, Fruita, Grand Junction, and Palisade
Douglas Pass reopened Tuesday evening. Travelers should prepare for slower speed limits and possible closures in the future.