"The Willow fire’s rapid expansion to over 7,500 acres and the significant resources committed—up to 24 personnel and an estimated $36.6 million cost—highlight its potential impact on the surrounding communities and ecosystems."
The Willow wildfire, located 6 miles west of Leadville in Lake County, Colorado, was first 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, with containment holding steady at 67% until 2026-08-18 when it increased to 80%. Personnel numbers fluctuated from 6 to 24 early on, then settled around 10–11, and later dropped to 6–7 as the fire stabilized. Fire behavior remained minimal or moderate, with occasional smoldering and creeping activity, and the estimated cost rose to $36,599,035 by 2026-08-08 and later to $37,000,000. As of the latest update on 2026-09-12, the fire covers 7,389 acres, remains 80% contained, and shows minimal behavior.
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 smoke and potential fire spread; stay informed through local authorities and avoid outdoor activities near the fire perimeter.
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 12, 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 →