The Marshall Fire: Colorado's most destructive wildfire

The Marshall Fire is the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, not because of its size, but because of where it burned. In a matter of hours it leveled entire suburban neighborhoods.

Overview

On December 30, 2021, in the dead of winter, with no snow on the ground, hurricane-force winds drove a fast-moving grass fire through the Boulder County communities of Superior and Louisville. It burned only about 6,000 acres but destroyed 1,084 homes and seven commercial buildings, making it by far the costliest fire in state history at more than $2 billion in losses.

How it unfolded

Wind gusts exceeding 100 mph turned dry grass and suburban fuels into a firestorm that jumped roads and consumed subdivisions block by block. Tens of thousands evacuated with almost no warning. Remarkably, only two people died given the scale of destruction.

The cause

Investigators concluded the fire had two ignition sources: a reignited residential burn pit and sparks associated with an Xcel Energy power line. Xcel later agreed to a $640 million settlement of civil claims without admitting fault.

Lessons

What the Marshall Fire teaches Colorado homeowners

Every major Colorado fire reinforces the same lesson: the homes most likely to survive are the ones prepared before a fire starts. It shattered the assumption that wildfire is only a mountain or summer threat, a grass-driven, wind-blown fire destroyed more homes than any forest fire in state history, in December, in the suburbs. Creating defensible space, hardening the home against embers, and documenting the work for insurance and grant funding are the highest-leverage steps a homeowner can take.

Homeowners in Boulder County can get a free assessment from our Boulder County team.

Not sure where your property stands? Check your wildfire risk score in under a minute, watch for new starts on the active fires map, and set up emergency fire alerts so you never miss an evacuation order.