"The fire’s rapid expansion to over 7,500 acres in a short period and the significant resources committed—up to 24 personnel and an estimated $36.6 million—highlight its potential impact on the surrounding community and ecosystem."
The Willow wildfire, located 6 miles west of Leadville in Lake County, Colorado, was discovered on 2026-06-28 and is currently active under USFS jurisdiction. The fire grew from 7,196 acres on 2026-08-06 to 7,534 acres by 2026-08-13, then stabilized, with a slight reduction to 7,390 acres by 2026-09-11 and 7,389 acres by 2026-09-16. Containment remained at 67% until 2026-08-18, when it increased to 80% and has held steady since. Fire behavior has been minimal or moderate, with occasional smoldering and creeping activity, and personnel numbers have fluctuated from 6 to 24. Estimated costs rose to $36,599,035 by 2026-08-08 and have remained around $37,000,000 thereafter.
Official source description: 6 Miles W from Leadville, CO
Minimal; Smoldering; Creeping
Good air quality. Outdoor activity is generally safe near this incident.
Nearest reporting station: Aspen. Source: AirNow.gov (EPA).
Maintain vigilance for moderate fire behavior; stay informed through official updates and follow any local evacuation orders if issued.
IRWIN ID: {548A8D28-1A04-48EE-9011-ABA023175D43}
Discovered: Jun 28, 2026
Cause: Human
Managing Agency: USFS
Est. Cost to Date: $37,000,000
Coordinates: 39.2336, -106.4403
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in CO.
The Willow Fire has burned 7,389 acres as of September 23, 2026.
As of the latest update, the Willow Fire is 80% contained.
The official cause has been listed as: Human.
The Willow Fire is burning in Lake, CO.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Willow Fire remains active.
Real-time map, acreage, and containment for every major U.S. wildfire, updated from official NIFC data.
View Live Map →