The Denver Post library has compiled the following list of Colorado’s most expensive wildfires in terms of insured losses.*
1. Waldo Canyon fire, Colorado Springs, 2012 — $460.3 million.
2. Black Forest fire, Colorado Springs, 2013 — $420.5 million.
3. Fourmile Canyon fire near Boulder, 2010 — $231.8 million.
4. High Park fire, Fort Collins, 2012 — $113.7 million.
5. Hayman fire, 2002 — $38.7 million ($238 million in total damages and land rehabilitation costs).
6. Hi-Meadow & Bobcat fires, 2000 — combined losses $18.5 million.
7. Missionary Ridge, near Durango, 2002 — $17.7 million.
8. Lower North Fork, near Conifer, 2012 — $11 million.
9. Black Tiger/Boulder Canyon fire, 1989 — $10 million.
10. Iron Mountain, Fremont County, 2002 — $7.5 million.
11. Coal Seam, Glenwood Springs, 2002 — $6.4 million.
12. Woodland Heights, Estes Park, 2012 — $5 million (assessed value of homes only).
13. Olde Stage, Boulder County, 1990 — $1.5 million.
14. Buffalo Creek, Jefferson County, 1996 — over $1 million.
Sources: National Interagency Fire Center; Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association; U.S. Forest Service; Colorado State Forest Service; Colorado Division Emergency Management
Compiled by Vickie Makings, Denver Post Research Library
