The largest recorded Colorado wildfire is now fully contained. Thank you, firefighters!

The Cameron Peak Fire burned 208,913 acres in Colorado and is fully contained, as of December 2. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

On August 13, 2020, the Cameron Peak Fire started in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests near Cameron Pass and Chambers Lake. Due to a number of factors including rugged terrain, the fire spread through forests quickly. Trees affected and killed by the years of pine beetle infestation were quick fuel for the growing fire.

Officials are continuing to keep Colorado residents updated via the Facebook page. Since August, photos, press conferences, evacuation notices, maps, and containment updates have been posted to the page.

While we're all celebrating a huge victory over such a fire, there's still work to do as the recovery process begins. No clear estimate has been made on the number of structures lost due to the Cameron Peak Fire.

As fire recovery crews continue to work, there are portions of Rocky Mountain National Park that are temporarily closed. The park keeps an updated list of conditions as well as closures due to fire recovery.

Recently, the East Troublesome Fire—the second-largest fire in the state—was also contained.

Be sure to thank firefighters and support service personnel for their tireless work on behalf of every Colorado resident and visitor to our beloved mountains. 

How have you thanked a firefighter? Share in the comments below.

J. Firestone
J. lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and two teenage boys. You can find J. hiking, paddleboarding, or enjoying a good board game indoors. She's an unapologetic Dallas Cowboys fan, and an even bigger fan of coffee.
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