°µºÚ±¬ÁÏ

© 2025
NPR °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ, Colorado Stories
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

All Of The 2012 Wildfires In One Stunning Picture

NASA images provided by the Science Visualization Studio
/
NASA Earth Observatory

As of November 30th, more than 9.1 million acres have burned in the U.S. That's the third highest total ever recorded.

This was an extraordinary year for wildfires across Colorado, and as these show, for much of the U.S. as well.

While millions of acres burned this year, according to the , the number of fires recorded was the smallest at 55,505. In terms of size however, the 2012 fires were some of the largest on record.

Credit NASA images provided by the Science Visualization Studio / NASA Earth Observatory
/
NASA Earth Observatory
A nationwide look at all of the fires (wild, prescribed & ag) from 2012. Color denotes intensity, with yellow being the most instense

Quick facts on Colorado's major wildfires:

  • The in northern Colorado scorched 87,284 acres, destroyed 259 homes and killed one person.
  • The in southern Colorado was the most destructive fire in the state's history. It burned 18,247 acres, destroyed 347 homes, and killed two people.  
  • The , 20 miles northwest of Fort Collins, blackened 7,685 acres. 
Related Content