Colorado Wild Fires: Looking Back 

Release Date: June 6, 2003
Release Number: FNF-03-05

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Denver, CO - This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of several of the most devastating wildfires in Colorado's history.

"The memories of last year are pretty somber," said David Maurstad, regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Denver. "Nine firefighters lost their lives in this state alone. Colorado also lost 380 homes, and hundreds of other outbuildings. It cost at least $310 million in firefighting and recovery expenses alone.

"Those flames also etched a few lessons in our hearts. Make your home fire safe. Make sure you are adequately insured and consider buying flood insurance, because burned areas are more susceptible to flooding," Maurstad said.

The following fact sheet on the 2002 Colorado fires includes breakdowns on the fires that started June 8 (Hayman, Coal Seam, and Miracle Complex) and June 9 (Missionary Ridge) of last year.

Statewide figures:

Recovery Cost: $152.7 million

Web sites for more information:

firewise.org Information on protecting one's property from wildfires
dola.state.co.us/oem Colorado Office of Emergency Management; includes a summary of the 2002 fires, fire bans and restrictions, current emergencies, and preparedness and prevention information
fema.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency; information on flood insurance, mitigation, disasters, etc.; link to Rocky Mountain region has information on wildfires and preparedness
fs.fed.us/r2/fire/rmacc Rocky Mountain Area Fire and Aviation Management; detailed information on firefighting agencies, danger, etc., in the Rocky Mountain region
nifc.gov National Interagency Fire Center; national information on current wildfires, prevention, statistics, etc.
rmiia.org/Homeowners/Wildfire Insurance site with wildfire information

Explanation of costs: The cost of fighting wildfires on federal land is paid by federal wildland agencies such as the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Fish and Wildlife Service, which work together to fight fires and are coordinated through the National Interagency Fire Center. State and local agencies pay part of the cost when non-federal land is involved. For large fires that threaten lives and private property, the President can authorize FEMA to pay 75 percent of the eligible costs of suppressing the fire.

The cost of recovery following wildfire includes forest rehabilitation and flood mitigation on public property, which are paid by the federal and state wildland agencies. Technical assistance, and some grant money, is also available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service for fire mitigation projects on private land.

Private insurance pays for the majority of the recovery costs for private property and homeowners. In the wake of extraordinary fire events, like those in Colorado last year, the President may declare a major disaster, which triggers FEMA assistance for individuals and families to help with emergency housing and some other disaster-related emergency needs. FEMA works in partnership with the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides low-interest disaster loans to eligible homeowners, renters, and businesses.

*The figure given above for volunteer agencies is the amount spent by the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the volunteer relief committees set up for the Iron Mountain, Hayman, and Missionary Ridge fires. The figure does not include non-monetary assistance provided.

Hayman Fire

Fire: This fire started June 8 in Park County, four miles northwest of Lake George in Pike National Forest. It later spread into Jefferson, Douglas and Teller counties.

Damage: The fire burned 137,760 acres, and destroyed 133 homes, one business, and 466 other structures. Three people were injured.

Cost: $119.8 million

Coal Seam Fire

Fire: The Coal Seam fire started June 8, four miles west of Glenwood Springs, from an underground coal fire.

Damage: The fire burned 12,209 acres, and destroyed 29 homes and 14 outbuildings.

Cost: $16.8 million

Miracle Complex

Fire: This complex included two fires: the Dierich Creek Fire and the Long Canyon Fire. Both fires started in Mesa County June 8, one from a campfire and one from lightning.

Damage: The Dierich Creek Fire burned 2,533 acres, and the Long Canyon Fire burned 1,418 acres, for a combined total of 3,951. Three people were injured.

Cost: $1,985,700

Missionary Ridge

Fire: This fire started June 9 in a ditch beside Missionary Ridge Road, about 15 miles northeast of Durango.

Damage: The fire burned 70,485 acres, and destroyed 56 homes and 27 outbuildings. One firefighter was killed, and 48 other people were injured.

Cost: $74.6 million

Last Modified: Monday, 09-Jun-2003 21:04:17