Colorado pays nearly $18M to wildfire victims

Photo: Lower North Fork Fire
The Lower North Fork Fire killed three people and burned two dozen homes in 2012.

People impacted by a 2012 Colorado wildfire started by the state have gotten their compensation payments from the government.

The payments disbursed this week total nearly $18 million for about nearly two dozen parties with outstanding claims from the Lower North Fork Fire. The fire near Conifer grew out of a prescribed burn, making the state liable for damages.

The wildfire killed three people and burned two dozen homes.

State lawmakers this year approved legislation to set aside the money and pay victims.