What made the Hayman Fire so significant?
A. It is Colorado s largest ever wildfire in recorded history at more than 137,000 acres. In one particularly devastating run it burned nearly 60,000 acres and ran for 17 miles in one day. One section on June 17 was observed spreading 1/2 mile in just four minutes. The fuel moistures are the lowest in recorded history, adding to the unpredictability of the fire. In addition, the high numbers of residences and other buildings lost and threatened, as well as thousands of people evacuated as a safety precaution, added to the complexity of this fire. Four counties were involved in the fire, plus there is a large wilderness area on the west boundary of the Hayman Fire.
