Black Forest Fire (2013)
El Paso County (Black Forest), Colorado · Jun 11, 2013 – Jun 20, 2013
Most destructive Colorado wildfire at the timeAcres burned
14,280
Lives lost
2
Structures destroyed
511
Year
2013
Evacuations
~38,000 people evacuated
What happened
The Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs destroyed 511 homes in 2013, surpassing the previous year’s Waldo Canyon Fire as the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history at the time.
Cause
Under investigation
Location
El Paso County (Black Forest), Colorado
Key facts
- ▪Most destructive CO fire at the time (2013)
- ▪Destroyed 511 homes
- ▪Burned dense ponderosa-pine WUI
- ▪Two consecutive record-destructive years for Colorado Springs
Replay the Black Forest Fire in the spread simulator
This centers the wildfire-spread simulator on the Black Forest Fire’s documented ignition point and replays its conditions on 2013-06-11 — the day’s strongest wind, temperature, and humidity from the open-meteo historical archive (which set the fire-day fuel moisture) — run through the same Rothermel surface-fire model used across FireRisk. Press ▶ Simulate to watch how fire tends to move under those conditions.
⚠️ Educational reconstruction — not the real fire perimeter
This is a simplified model of how fire spreads under the 2013 conditions, not the Black Forest Fire’s actual burned area, official progression, or a prediction of any current fire. It cannot account for real fuels, suppression, spotting, or how conditions changed hour to hour. For real-time fire information always follow Watch Duty, official agencies, and local authorities — and call 911 in an emergency.
Loading the 2013 fire-day conditions…
Reminder: an educational reconstruction of fire spread under the 2013 conditions — not the Black Forest Fire’s actual perimeter, an official record, or a forecast. Modeled spread, direction, and timing are illustrative only. Never rely on it for any safety decision.
Could your home survive a fire like the Black Forest Fire?
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Related major fires
Black Forest Fire FAQ
When was the Black Forest Fire and where did it burn?
The Black Forest Fire started Jun 11, 2013 in El Paso County (Black Forest), Colorado, and was contained Jun 20, 2013.
How many acres did the Black Forest Fire burn?
The Black Forest Fire burned approximately 14,280 acres.
How many people died in the Black Forest Fire?
Approximately 2 people died in the Black Forest Fire.
What caused the Black Forest Fire?
Under investigation.
Figures are approximate and compiled from official agency reporting; totals for recent fires may still be revised. FireRisk.ai is an independent wildfire-risk service.