"[4] Many western slope residents blamed Owens for driving away tourists with the press' truncated version of the quote ("All of Colorado is burning.

Tourism saw a sharp decline in the area and it is estimated that local businesses lost 50% of their seasonal revenues as a result of the fire-induced closures.

Her death certificate lists the cause as "acute asthma attack due to or as a consequence of smoke inhalation."

Five firefighters died from injuries sustained from a June 21, 2002, traffic accident en route to the Hayman fire from Oregon: Zach Zigich, Retha Shirley, Jacob Martindale, Danial Rama, and Bart Bailey.

U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch refused, however, to impose the $14 million restitution asked for by prosecutors, saying he would not sentence her to a "life of poverty."

The state sentence was overturned on appeal, however, on grounds that the presiding judge had "the appearance of prejudice" because smoke from the fire had motivated him to voluntarily leave his home for one night.

[14] Several insurance companies filed a $7 million suit against the government in the fall of 2008, claiming that Barton was negligent in her duties.

Judge William Brian ordered that Barton continue to make payments toward the $14.5 million in restitution she owed as of the 2018 re-sentencing.