The fire burned a total of 108,045 acres (437 square kilometers)[2] and was the third-largest wildfire in Colorado history.

[5] Jesper Jørgensen (modified to Joergensen or Jorgensen in English), 52, a citizen of Denmark and reported by immigration authorities as being in the United States illegally because he had overstayed his visa, has been arrested and faces arson charges for allegedly starting the fire.

He had presumed the fire in the pit was fully extinguished, but was woken from his afternoon nap by the smell of smoke a few hours later.

[2] Shortly after his arrest in June 2018, Jørgensen was declared mentally incompetent, causing a delay in his case.

[8] In Huerfano County, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Cuchara, Chama, Red Wing, Malachite, and Badito south of Highway 69.