Extreme Conditions

The Hayman Fire was a forest fire that started 95 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado and 35 miles northwest of Colorado Springs on June 8, 2002, and became the largest fire in the state's recorded history. Hundreds of forestry officials and firefighters fought the fast-moving inferno, which caused nearly $40 million in damages, burned 133 homes and forced the evacuation of 5,340 people. Smoke could been seen and smelled from across the state from Vail to the northwest (108 miles) to Burlington to the west (188 miles) and Broomfield to the north (120 miles) to Walsenburg in the south (130 miles). The cause of the wildfire was found to be arson. Here's the story recounted by residence who were personally involved.