On July 16, 1988, a lightning-caused wildfire burned over 15,000 acres of public and private land here as far as the eye can see. The “I Do” fire, named for a Bureau of Land Management firefighter who was married on that day, became the largest wildfire in Colorado’s recorded history. Bureau of Land Management planted wheatgrass and rye in strips and at right angles to the prevailing winds, to reduce wind erosion until the area is revegetated. This area is home to large numbers of deer and antelope as well as a variety of smaller mammals and birds.