Nearly 1,000 homes have been destroyed in ‘unimaginable’ wildfires, but no fatalities have been reported so far, according to Colorado’s governor.
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed as two wildfires erupted in Colorado on Thursday as heavy winds blew through the state. Videos of the natural disaster have been labeled “apocalyptic” after thousands of homeowners were forced to evacuate during the holiday season.
During a news conference on Friday, Governor Jared Polis observed, “It was a disaster in slow motion over half a day.” “Many families only had minutes to pack anything they could into the car, including their pets and children, and go. It’s unfathomable.”
Polis said he met with US President Joe Biden on Friday, and Biden approved an expedited major disaster declaration for the region, making it easier for families and businesses to get help. “If it holds up that there was no loss of life,” Polis remarked, “we might have our very own New Year’s miracle on our hands.”
Wildfires ravaged parts of two cities, Superior and Louisville near Boulder, and burned an estimated 580 residences, a hotel, and a shopping center, fueled by winds gusting up to 105 mph (169 kph). According to ABC News, this is one of the worst natural disasters in Colorado State’s modern history. One first responder was killed, while six others were injured. According to the Associated Press, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle recognized that the severity of the fires that quickly raced throughout the region could result in more injuries and deaths.
Airline passenger aboard flight from Denver captures bird’s-eye view of wildfire burning in Boulder County, Colorado.
— ABC News (@ABC) December 31, 2021
Gov. Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency. https://t.co/nnhyaX6W4B pic.twitter.com/u05F5URSCG
According to the sheriff, the Marshall Fire had burnt at least 1,600 acres and had expanded east across Superior and Louisville. According to CNN, the other fire is known as the Middle Fork Fire, although Pelle claimed it was attacked swiftly and “lay down.” The article said that there were no initial indications of civilian casualties or missing people as authorities attempted to extinguish the fire in the wide dry region.
However, on social media, netizens expressed their concern, grieving the loss of property and emphasizing how ‘climate change is real.’
A lot of video coming in from across the area. Here is another one taken this afternoon from a BPD patrol car in the Superior/Louisville area. The smoke was so thick first responders were having trouble with visibility. The flames burned right up to the roads. #MarshallFire pic.twitter.com/AhwuOKTlKk
— Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) December 31, 2021
“The recent record dryness is one of several variables that has led to today’s devastating wildfire,” the weather service noted. “From July 1st to December 29th (roughly the second half of the year), Denver was the driest city on record by over an inch. “Snowfall is also at historic lows,” they noted.
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