Wildfire — Yuma County, Colorado

2025-12-17 to 2025-12-18 · Yuma County, Colorado

Event narrative

Yuma county emergency manager relayed that multiple fires were ongoing across the county as wind gusts of 60-83 mph were ongoing behind a cold front. There were also three smoke plumes on radar as well. The largest was named 33 Fire as it was along CR 33 near the town of Heartstrong, Colorado. It is believed the fire was started from downed power lines from the wind. The fire burned 12,000 acres but with the only damage known to be to an abandoned trailer and a pig barn with no livestock inside. The other fires from that day burned around 2000 acres near CR L in Yuma county and 50 acres near CR 44. Near the intersection of CR T and 28 a 15x20 chicken building with 20 chickens, 9 ducks and 1 rabbit was lost along with some minor damage to a goat pen. Fire damage was also reported to sprinklers and fence line near the intersection of CR 27 and CR U. A vacant house was burnt down as well near the same intersection.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front brought high wind gusts up to 83 mph across Yuma county through just past midnight on the 18th. A couple wildfires occurred as well due to winds blowing down power lines. The largest fire was near Heartstrong which burned around 12,000 acres. Additional wind gusts to 76 mph was recorded in Burlington, along with a 63 mph wind gust near Cheyenne Wells in Cheyenne county. The high winds caused property damage in northern Yuma County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1299462. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.