Colorado fire: Up to 1,000 homes burned to ground as inferno declared most destructive ever
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Your support makes all the difference.Up to 1,000 homes have been burned in what is being called the most destructive blaze in Colorado’s history.
Horrifying aerial footage shows the devastating impact of the fast-moving wildfire fanned by powerful winds that ripped through towns near Boulder,Colorado, on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of about 30,000 residents.
As the fires raged, startling video, filmed from a plane flying above the state, shows the towns of Superior and Louisville engulfed in flames at multiple locations.
Officials have declared the fire the most devastating ever to impact the state.
Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency, allowing the state to deploy emergency funds and resources including Colorado National Guard.
The wind gusts of 110 miles per hour had pushed fire at an astonishing speed, burning across 6,000 acres and destroying more than 500 homes — possibly as many as 1,000. Some owners watched on door-cams as fire approached their homes.
“This fire is, frankly, a force of nature,” said Mr Polis. “For those who have lost everything that they’ve had, know that we will be there for you to help rebuild your lives.”
The grass fire is believed to have been ignited by sparks from power lines and transformers toppled by high winds of Colorado’s drought-parched Front Range, according to Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle.
The Boulder Office of Emergency Management has urged residents not to return to their homes.
Footage captures spread of wildfire
An airline passenger has captured footage of the spread of the wildfire in Boulder, Colorado.
The bird’s eye view shows multiple blazes as thousands of people have been told to evacuate the area and Governor Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency.
‘Record dryness’ one of the factors that led to wildfire
Denver’s National Weather Service has said that ‘record dryness’ is one of the causes of the causes of the wildfire.
They tweeted: “One of the many factors that lead to the devastating wildfire today is the recent record dryness.
“For all periods from Jul 1st to Dec 29th (essentially the second half of the year), Denver has been the driest on record by over an inch. Snowfall is at record low levels, too.”
Residents urged not to return to homes
The Boulder Office of Emergency Management has urged residents not to return to their homes.
They tweeted: “Residents who evacuated/have property in evacuation zones, please do NOT return to the area. We know that you are concerned about your home/belongings.
“First responders are working non-stop to keep everyone safe, even as they don’t know the status of their own homes in the area.”
Fast-moving wildfires destroy homes and force thousands to evacuate
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate from their homes in Colorado as wildfires spread through the state.
Many of the fast-moving fires - spread by gusty winds - are burning in Boulder County, north of Denver, but are likely to consume further areas.
Dramatic footage shows how buildings and homes have been destroyed by the blaze, as firefighters battle to contain the flames.
A state of emergency has been declared by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, with as many as 30,000 people in the towns of Louisville and Superior forced to leave their homes.
Fast-moving wildfires in Colorado destroy homes and force thousands to evacuate
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate from their homes in Colorado as wildfires spread through the state.Many of the fast-moving fires - spread by gusty winds - are burning in Boulder County, north of Denver, but are likely to consume further areas.Dramatic footage shows how buildings and homes have been destroyed by the blaze, as firefighters battle to contain the flames.A state of emergency has been declared by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, with as many as 30,000 people in the towns of Louisville and Superior forced to leave their homes.Sign up to our breaking news email alerts here.
Families flee restaurant as state consumed by smoke
Families rushed to evacuate a Chuck E Cheese restaurant in the town of Superior, Colorado on Thursday as wildfires consumed the state.
Dramatic footage shows groups of parents and their children taking cover from the smoke that engulfs the building, before running through the car park to their vehicles.
The sky appears to glow orange as wildfires rage around them.
Thousands of people in Colorado have been evacuated and hundreds of homes have been destroyed by the blazes spread by gusty winds.
Families flee restaurant as Colorado consumed by wildfires
Families rushed to evacuate a Chuck E Cheese restaurant in the town of Superior, Colorado on Thursday as wildfires consumed the state.Dramatic footage shows groups of parents and their children taking cover from the smoke that engulfs the building, before running through the car park to their vehicles.The sky appears to glow orange as wildfires rage around them.Thousands of people in Colorado have been evacuated and hundreds of homes have been destroyed by the blazes spread by gusty winds.Sign up to our breaking news email alerts here.
Pictures of the wildfires raging in Colorado
Aerial footage shows raging wildfires as 30,000 people evacuated
Aerial footage taken from a plane flying above Colorado shows the spread of the wildfires that have caused more than 30,000 people to evacuate from the area.
The first fire erupted just before 10:30 a.m. and was “attacked pretty quickly and laid down later in the day and is currently being monitored” with no structures lost, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.
A second wildfire, reported just after 11 a.m., “ballooned and spread rapidly east,” Pelle said. The blaze spans 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometres) and has engulfed parts of the area in smoky, orangish skies and sent residents scrambling to get to safety.
The activity of the fires, which are burning unusually late into the winter season, will depend on how the winds behave overnight and could determine when crews are able to go in and begin assessing the damage and searching for any victims.
“This is the kind of fire we can’t fight head on,” Pelle said. “We actually had deputy sheriffs and firefighters in areas that had to pull out because they just got overrun,” he added.
Evacuations have been ordered for the city of Louisville, home to about 21,000 people, and Superior, which has another 13,000 residents.
Radar loops shows smoke from wildfires
The National Weather Service Denver has posted a radar loop on its Twitter account showing the spread of the smoke from the wildfires.
They tweeted: “Here is a 200 frame radar loop which shows the smoke from the #MarshallFire. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds have decreased the fire activity this evening but there are still a few spots burning hot.”
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