Are Fires Getting Worse in Denver? What the Data Really Says About Colorado’s Rising Fire Risk

Fire Restoration

Wildfires aren’t just a mountain issue anymore, they’re becoming a Front Range reality, affecting homes, businesses, and neighborhoods across the Denver metro area.

A recent report by Colorado State University, Battle Scars: Trends in Wildfire Size and Impact Across Colorado (1990–2023), confirms what many Coloradans have already experienced: fires are becoming larger, more frequent, and more unpredictable.

For those of us in Denver, that means one thing: proactive fire mitigation and professional restoration are no longer optional. They’re essential.

What the Data Shows: Colorado’s Fire Risk Is Rising and Denver Isn’t Immune

According to CSU’s report:

  • Wildfires are more frequent: Colorado averaged just 13 large fires per year in the 1990s. By the 2020s, that number climbed to over 70 annually.
  • Fires are larger: the average fire grew from about 1,100 acres to nearly 1,800 acres in the same period.
  • A few massive fires do most of the damage: the top 1% of wildfires account for 50% of all burned acreage statewide.
  • Recent records dominate 8 of Colorado’s 10 largest wildfires have occurred since 2012, including Cameron Peak and East Troublesome in 2020.

(Source: CSU REDI – Battle Scars: Trends in Wildfire Size and Impact Across Colorado)

Even though Denver sits at the edge of the plains, its proximity to foothill canyons, open spaces, and the expanding wildland-urban interface makes many communities, especially in West and South Denver, more vulnerable than ever.

Local Impact: Denver’s New Wildfire Reality

The Marshall Fire (2021) in neighboring Boulder County proved that urban and suburban areas are no longer safe from wildfire. It destroyed more than 1,000 homes, caused over $2 billion in damage, and spread through neighborhoods once considered low-risk. (Denver7 News)

Denver’s fire departments now routinely respond to grass, structure, and interface fires that threaten open space borders, while increasing heat, drought, and wind events make conditions more volatile each year.

For property owners across Central Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, and Littleton, that means being ready for anything, not just wildfires in the high country.


How PuroClean of Central Denver Helps Families Recover and Rebuild

When fire strikes, the damage extends far beyond what you can see. Soot, smoke, and water from firefighting efforts can destroy belongings, contaminate air, and make homes unsafe.

At PuroClean of Central Denver, we’ve helped dozens of families and businesses recover from devastating fire and smoke damage throughout the Denver area. Our mission goes beyond cleanup; we restore comfort, safety, and peace of mind.

Our Certified Fire Mitigation & Restoration Services Include:

  • Emergency fire cleanup and rapid response 24/7
  • Smoke and soot removal using HEPA filtration and advanced cleaning systems
  • Odor elimination with ozone and hydroxyl treatments
  • Structural drying and dehumidification to prevent secondary water or mold damage
  • Contents pack-out, cleaning, and storage for salvageable items
  • Direct insurance coordination to streamline your claims process

Our IICRC-certified technicians follow national restoration standards and use cutting-edge equipment like Docusketch™ documentation, ensuring every inch of damage is recorded, restored, and verified.

Most importantly, we understand that every fire disaster is deeply personal. Our team approaches every project with empathy, transparency, and the same care we’d give our own neighbors.


A Community Commitment: Rebuilding Denver, One Home at a Time

Over the past several years, PuroClean of Central Denver has assisted homeowners after both wildfire smoke intrusions and residential structure fires throughout the metro area, from Central Park to Highlands Ranch.

Each recovery project is an opportunity to help families move forward, restoring not just their property, but their sense of home and stability.

We’re proud to partner with Denver residents, insurance providers, and local emergency services to strengthen community resilience in the face of rising fire risk.

Protecting Denver’s Future: Prevention Starts Today

As the data makes clear, Colorado’s fire seasons are longer, hotter, and more destructive than ever. But with the right mitigation and restoration strategies, Denver homeowners can stay a step ahead.

If you live near open space or in the foothills, consider scheduling a fire risk assessment or defensible space consultation before next summer’s fire season.

And if you’ve already experienced a fire event, PuroClean of Central Denver is here 24/7 to help you recover safely and quickly.

📞 Call (303) 993-1313 or visit our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration page to learn more about how we can help restore your home and peace of mind.

“Tomas and Sonia with PuroClean cleaned our house after the Marshall Fire. They were very responsive, willing to community directly with insurance and answered all of our questions. They were on time and paid attention to detail. If we had to do this type of mitigation again, we would choose them.” – Debbie Blanco