Map Review: de_cpl_fire
Let’s be clear from the start—I’m not here to crown CPL Fire as one of the greatest maps ever made. This isn’t Dust2. This isn’t Inferno. What it is, though, is one of the most solid, reliable competitive maps I’ve spent hundreds of hours on over the last two decades. A constant presence in a sea of fleeting trends.
The layout itself? Unique, technical, demanding. This isn’t a run-and-gun playground. It’s a map that forces you to think, to rotate with purpose, hold angles with discipline, and push only when the timing is right. Fire’s pacing is the litmus test between casual fraggers and players who actually understand teamwork. There’s no autopilot here.
Its roots run deep. Back in 2001, it was known as de_clan2_fire—a rougher, less polished version of the map we know now. But even then, you could see the bones of something tournament-worthy. Years of tweaks and polish transformed it into a staple of competitive play during the CPL’s heyday.
de_cpl_fire earned its stripes on competitive stages like the CPL Winter Championships of 2003 and 2004. At the December 2004 event, with a $100,000 prize pool on the line, Fire stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of de_nuke and de_dust2 in the official rotation. It was here that EYEBALLERS carved their name into history, claiming the title in front of a global audience.
But the story started earlier. Back in 2003, SK Gaming dominated de_cpl_fire en route to their championship victory, turning the map into a tactical crucible where only the most disciplined teams survived. Alongside legendary squads like Team 3D, NoA, and Death is Eternal
The theme? Gritty industrial warehouse. Simple, no frills, but utterly effective. It never needed flashy gimmicks. It looked like a place where a real firefight would break out, and that grounded realism was vital in a game like CS 1.6.
Credit where it’s due: Chris Auty, the man behind this map, is one of the unsung architects of CS level design. Not every map he touched became a legend—some were experiments that missed the mark—but many stood the test of time. de_inferno, de_vertigo, de_airstrip, de_aztec, de_cpl_mill—all carry his imprint. Hell, he even crafted that chaotic relic de_comrade, which still lingers in the memories of old-school players like me.
CPL Fire may not bask in the spotlight like Dust2 or Inferno, but it’s a workhorse map—the kind that forged team chemistry in countless scrims. A map that made every rotation count and every mistake sting. For those who remember, it was more than a map; it was a proving ground.
Honestly, I wish someone would make a modern remake that respects the original intent. CS:GO tried a few times—some visually stunning—but they changed too much of the layout for my taste. If you get the chance, especially in a good old-fashioned 5v5, give this map a shot.
For all that, I’m handing out four gold stars.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (Four gold stars out of five)
links for the map download.
Map Review by Slade Krowley.
http://maps.cs-bg.info/maps/cs/70/
