Very severe wildfires in Colorado destroyed hundreds of homes: tens of thousands of people were evacuated

A violent wildfire caused by the wind on December 30 destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses near Denver, Colorado. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated. More details about the fire element told the publication USA Today.

Photo: Shutterstock

The strong winds fanning the fires in the area continued until the evening of 30 December. The Boulder suburbs, Superior and Louisville, remained under the evacuation order. Firefighters were forced to retreat in many areas as one large wildfire continued and the second was brought under control.

On the evening of December 30, hundreds of people watched from the top of the ridge as orange flames burst through the Rock Creek area and many other fires littered the horizon.

Firefighting conditions were expected to improve as the wind decreased. The National Meteorological Service said the high wind warning has been extended until 20:00 pm in the hope that the wind will subside overnight. Snow, which is expected on Dec. 31, could help extinguish the fire, the National Weather Service meteorologist said.

On the subject: California will destroy 10 thousand trees, including sequoias: they pose a fire threat

Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said about 600 homes, a Target mall, and a hotel burned down in the area.

As of the evening of December 30, a single fire in the suburbs had burned more than 1600 acres (647 hectares), Pelle said. At least one person was injured and the hospital said it had treated several burn victims.

?FIRE EVACUATIONS?

"Leave now!"

Emergency responders are evacuating towns of Superior and Louisville, #Colorado as thousands of people are rushing to evacuate

Two large grass fires have burned properties and are threatening more@CBSDenver @CBSNews

pic.twitter.com/9aqj9ZYzg6

- Dillon Thomas (@DillonMThomas) December 30, 2021

There are no reports of missing or fatalities yet. But, according to Pelle, he won't be surprised if people are injured or killed as a result of the fires.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency to allow the state to access emergency funds and services.

On December 30, in the afternoon, a cloud of dark gray smoke could be seen over the city of Superior. The authorities issued a decree to evacuate the entire city of about 13 people. Almost 000 houses were destroyed.

The city of Louisville, home to approximately 20 residents, has also been evacuated. All 000 homes in the Sagamore area of ​​Louisville were burned down, Pelle said.

Louisville issued a city-wide boil-water recommendation late in the evening of December 30 in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment.

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“Protect yourself by using bottled water or boil any water that will be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and cooking until further notice,” the message said.

Six people were hospitalized with burns at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, hospital spokesman Kelly Christensen said. She was unable to elaborate on their condition or the severity of the burns due to the health privacy law, but said all six are currently undergoing treatment.

Centura Avista Hospital, northwest of Broomfield, evacuated its patients and staff as the fire approached. She had completely moved to safety. Before the hospital was evacuated, videos posted on social media showed flames just across the street and houses on fire. One of the videos shows employees of this medical institution - they are in a field outside the hospital, next to them is a hose, which the medical workers used to wet the grass.

Devastated for this community (Rock Creek Subdivision). #marshallfire #colorado pic.twitter.com/hMsb0OBTlR

- AshRenee (@ AshleyM90582681) December 31, 2021

“Patients should not attempt to travel to Avista Hospital. Nearby roads are closed. They should go to the nearest hospital for services or call 911 in an emergency,” said Lindsay Radford, a hospital spokeswoman.

The Brumfield Detention Center, located approximately 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Denver, has been evacuated. Brumfield police tweeted that all prisoners were evacuated to another facility and are safe.

#Colorado
Home surveillance cameras show the rapid speed at which a wind-driven fire moves across combustible material (s). This massive wildfire was sparked by downed power lines toppled in the high winds.#CAwx
pic.twitter.com/dm9lCD3NFj

- NEWS ALL TIME (@NEWS_ALL_TIME) December 30, 2021

As of 17:00 on December 30, a fire has engulfed several blocks of the Superior and burned many houses. The firefighters were powerless and unable to stop the flames caused by the strong wind.

Pat Kilbride, who has lived in the Old Town area for 30 years, said his house burned down, killing his dog and cat. In his opinion, many houses were also destroyed.

Kilbride rushed to his house when he heard that the fire was approaching this place, but could not get close to him due to the blockage of the road. By the time he arrived, the house was already on fire.

“Everything has disappeared. All of Old Town,” he laments.

Strong winds helped fuel the fire, with gusts reaching 115 miles (185 km) per hour, said Bruno Rodriguez, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

Close up view of the Boulder County fire and from inside the Chuck E. Cheese off Marshall Rd in Superior, CO with wind gusts of 110mph #boulder #colorado pic.twitter.com/VhcTemQcNJ

- IFB (@MileHighHabesha) December 31, 2021

Officials suspected that some of the fires were possible due to collapsed power lines.

Rodriguez said the winds are unlike any they've seen this season. Combined with six to seven months of incredibly dry conditions, he said, it was "the worst, most terrible combination that only contributed to such a rapidly spreading fire."

The region has received just 1,6 inches (4 cm) of rain since August, Rodriguez said, "well below normal."

As firefighters continued to battle the raging fire, the area was also under a winter storm warning with several inches of snow forecast. Wet - it will help extinguish the flame.

“Fortunately, weather conditions change quickly,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been waiting for this snow for a long time, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

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