Waldo Canyon fire

The Waldo Canyon fire was a forest fire that started approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 23, 2012, and 1 mile (1.6 km) from a western neighborhood. It was declared 100 percent contained on July 10, 2012 after no smoke plumes were visible on a small portion of the containment line on Blodgett Peak. As of August 27, it was still an actively burning fire according to Inciweb. The fire was active in the Pike National Forest and adjoining areas, covering a total of 18,247 acres (29 sq mi; 74 km2). The fire had caused the evacuation of over 32,000 residents of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Woodland Park, several small mountain communities along the southwestern side of Highway 24, and partial evacuation of the United States Air Force Academy. Approximately 346 homes were destroyed by the fire. U.S. Highway 24, a major east-west road, was closed in both directions. The Waldo Canyon Fire is the most expensive fire in Colorado state history with insurance claims totaling more than US$352.6 million. It was formerly the most destructive fire in Colorado state history as measured by the number of homes destroyed until the Black Forest fire surpassed it almost a year later, consuming at least 502 homes, a number which continues to rise as the Black Forest fire continues to burn.