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Updated for 2018: 20 largest wildfires in Colorado history by acreage burned

 United States

In 2013, The Denver Post library compiled the top 35 largest wildfires in Colorado history in terms of how many acres were burned; the ongoing Spring Creek fire in Costilla and Huerfano counties and other recent fires have made it necessary to update the list for 2018.

2002 Hayman – 137,760 acres, five firefighter deaths, 133 homes burned and 600 total structures destroyed, arson caused.
2013 West Fork Complex — 109,049 acres, lightning caused.
2018 Spring Creek, Costilla and Huerfano counties – 103,357 acres, damaged or destroyed at least 251 homes, human caused. This fire is active and may be updated here.
2012 High Park, Larimer County – 87,250 acres, killed one person, destroyed 248 homes, lightning caused.
2002 Missionary Ridge, near Durango – 71,739 acres; one firefighter death after tree fall, burned 46 houses and cabins.
2018 416, 13 miles north of Durango – 52,778 acres. This fire is active and may be updated here.
2008 Bridger, Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site – 46,612 acres.
2012 Last Chance grassland, eastern Colorado — 44,000 acres.
2018 Milemarker 117, El Paso County – 42,795 acres.
2016 Beaver Creek, Jackson County, Routt National Forest – 38,380 acres.
2018 Badger Hole, Colorado and Kansas border – 33,609 acres in Colorado, and a total of 50,815 in both states, burned 24 structures.
2002 Trinidad Complex (Spring, Fisher/James John fires) – 33,000 acres.
2017 Logan, Logan County – 32,564 acres, destroyed 15 homes, killed hundreds of cattle.
2002 Mount Zirkel Complex, near Steamboat – 31,016 acres.
2002 Burn Canyon, Norwood – 30,573 acres.
2002 Trinidad Complex, Las Animas County – 27,084 acres.
1879 Lime Creek, San Juan National Forest – 26,000 acres.
2008 Mayberry, Maybell – 25,385 acres.
2012 Little Sand, Pagosa Springs, Hinsdale County – 24,931 acres.
2000 Bircher, near Mesa Verde – 23,607 acres.