Colorado's "Black Forest Fire"
U.S. Forest Service personnel arrived to confer with Falcon Divison Chief Glenn Levy and Larkspur Chief Jamey Bumgarner as the smoke plume continues to grow to the east on the first day of the fire.
Photo credit: Photos by Timothy Tonge/Castle Rock Fire & Rescue
Falcon Divison Chief Glenn Levy, right, checks a map to plan his next move.
Photo credit: Photos by Timothy Tonge/Castle Rock Fire & Rescue
Just one of many homes fully involved by 9 PM on the first day of the fire and just eight after it started. Many other structures were involved on this same road and other roads near the fire by this time. A large RV is burning on the left side of the image, while the structure burns to the right.
Photo credit: Photos by Timothy Tonge/Castle Rock Fire & Rescue
The “Black Forest Fire” started on June 11, 2013, and grew to become what was being described as the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history in terms of number of homes lost. The wind-driven fire killed two people, burned 14,280 acres and destroyed 486 homes. Several thousand residents were evacuated. Hundreds of firefighters operated at the fire before it was 100% contained on June 20.
At deadline, it was reported that the fire caused $292.8 million in damage, but that figure was expected to rise as damage to outbuildings and commercial structures is assessed. The cause of the fire was still under investigation.
