Colorado the Days After
Updates
Officials will use a search warrant to search the property of the Twelve Tribes religious group.There are a number of houses in the compound.
Houses destroyed by fire: Superior 378, Louisville 550, Unincorporated 156
Total houses damaged but not destroyed:115.
Businesses lost around 30
President Biden coming today (Friday) to assess the damage.
Two people are still missing and there is no word about them. Mandatory evacuations remain for parts of Louisville.Police building, recreation center building, and courts are also closed.
Background Information
It is not possible to write about Colorado and not mention the tragedy that has struck in our quiet suburbs. A dry hurricane with winds reaching 100+ mph struck with only a vague warning that it was going to be a windy day. And windy it was as flames hop-scotched across neighborhoods in Boulder County. All of Colorado and neighboring states have experienced dry conditions through summer and autumn months, leaving drought conditions. The combination of fire and drought proved to be overwhelming.
It is too early to take an account but officials have set the number of lost houses and businesses at almost a thousand and estimate that 35,000 people have been dislocated and three are missing. Miraculously some houses were untouched, standing between two houses that were burnt to the ground. The suburbs hardest hit were Louisville and Superior and some damages in the unincorporated fringes of those two towns.
One example that helps to understand the immensity of a fire in 6,000 acres of residential development is a bank with only elevator shaft left standing. The elevator shaft is all that is left of a four story building.
Updates
Officials will use a search warrant to search the property of the Twelve Tribes religious group.There are a number of houses in the compound.
Houses destroyed by fire: Superior 378, Louisville 550, Unincorporated 156
Total houses damaged but not destroyed:115.
Businesses lost around 30
President Biden coming today (Friday) to assess the damage.
Two people are still missing and there is no word about them. Mandatory evacuations remain for parts of Louisville.Police building, recreation center building, and courts are also closed.
Background Information
It is not possible to write about Colorado and not mention the tragedy that has struck in our quiet suburbs. A dry hurricane with winds reaching 100+ mph struck with only a vague warning that it was going to be a windy day. And windy it was as flames hop-scotched across neighborhoods in Boulder County. All of Colorado and neighboring states have experienced dry conditions through summer and autumn months, leaving drought conditions. The combination of fire and drought proved to be overwhelming.
It is too early to take an account but officials have set the number of lost houses and businesses at almost a thousand and estimate that 35,000 people have been dislocated and three are missing. Miraculously some houses were untouched, standing between two houses that were burnt to the ground. The suburbs hardest hit were Louisville and Superior and some damages in the unincorporated fringes of those two towns.
One example that helps to understand the immensity of a fire in 6,000 acres of residential development is a bank with only elevator shaft left standing. The elevator shaft is all that is left of a four story building.
The cause has not been determined for any of this. Officials from the electric company have announced that all of their lines are still up. Down power lines was the first cause considered for starting the fire. Now there are some concerns that arson or other human activity may be involved.
Federal Government Aid
FEMA is sending aid in the form of loans and financial aid. FEMA does not help with building material and labor.
Federal investigators are aiding in the investigation into the cause of the fire.
Starting January 3, residents with proof that lived in the burnt area will be allowed to enter to survey the damage and assess what their losses have been and their needs are going to be.
How Where You Can Help
For those who want to help people who have been affected by the Marshall Fire.
FEMA is sending aid in the form of loans and financial aid. FEMA does not help with building material and labor.
Federal investigators are aiding in the investigation into the cause of the fire.
Starting January 3, residents with proof that lived in the burnt area will be allowed to enter to survey the damage and assess what their losses have been and their needs are going to be.
How Where You Can Help
For those who want to help people who have been affected by the Marshall Fire.
- Sign up for the Colorado Responds E-newsletter. You’ll receive the most current information on volunteer and donation needs – what needs to be done, when and what skills are needed plus what donations are needed. Click here to register.