The fire was first noticed by a Boy Scout on Wednesday, June 19 at Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch who saw smoke in the distance by the kitchen area of the camp, and a staffer who went closer to investigate and could see visible flames.

Many went to the open shelter at John Mall High School in Walsenburg, Colorado where The American Red Cross supplied food and blankets, and some left to go home after staying the night.

Some Boy Scout members had to be rescued by a helicopter due them hiking up a mountain that week.

[4] On Friday, June 21, officials reported the fire to be 9,000 acres (36 km2) and that at The Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch 9 structures and 4 out-buildings had been destroyed.

[citation needed] On July 9, the fire was contained after burning 13,572 acres (54.92 km2) of land with Walsenburg undamaged.