WILDFIRES in Colorado triggered a town to evacuate entirely as the fires quickly ripped through communities in Boulder County.
The Boulder County sheriff’s office said they had received “Multiple reports of power lines down, transformers blowing, etc.”
“This has caused several small grass fires from the downed/sparking lines,” the statement continued.
Seven wildfires broke out on Thursday in the Boulder area, according to reports, driven by strong winds gusting over 50 mph, Wildfire Today noted.
The town of Superior has been evacuated, according to Fox31/KDVR. Some neighborhoods in Boulder in Louisville have followed suit.
The National Weather Service out of Denver/Boulder tweeted that the blazes have created a life-threatening situation in Superior and Louisville areas, noting that the “fast-moving fires” should encourage people to “gather more information and please be prepared to evacuate immediately.”
The Denver Channel noted that one wind gust was marked at 110mph and that there are multiple fires in the area that continue to grow.
Read our Superior, Colorado fire evacuation live blog for the latest news and updates…
-
Video shows the fire
A social media user shared a video of the view from a Chuck E. Cheese in Superior, Colorado on Thursday.
The area outside the restaurant is filled with smoke and fire is visible in the distance.
“This is craziness at Chuck E. Cheese,” someone is heard saying.
-
Downed power likes started fire
The Boulder County sheriff’s office said they had received “Multiple reports of power lines down, transformers blowing, etc.”
“This has caused several small grass fires from the downed/sparking lines,” their statement continued.
-
Governor declares state of emergency
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency as wildfires burn through Boulder County.
His statement read: “The declaration allows the state to access disaster emergency funds to support the emergency response efforts in Boulder and provide state resources including the use of the Colorado National Guard, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and activation of the State Emergency Operations Center.”
-
Where is Louisville?
Louisville, Colorado is southeast of Boulder, Colorado.
It has a population of about 20,000 people, according to The Denver Post.
-
‘Act quickly’
The Boulder Office of Emergency Management told readers on Twitter to “act quickly” once the Louisville evacuation order went out.
-
What are officials saying about the fire?
The Boulder County Office of Emergency Management made a public announcement regarding evacuations due to the wildfires.
“Boulder County Office of Emergency Management has just announced an Evacuation Order for ALL of Superior, Colorado residents,” the town said on Twitter.
“Evacuation point is the South Boulder Recreation Center. The Superior Community Center is not an official evacuation location.”
-
What is happening with the fires, continued
Another user took to Twitter to report on possible evacuations taking place, saying, “Just heard Superior evacuated & S side of Louisville too. Crazy stuff.”
The Denver Post reported on the evacuations as well:
“At about 1 p.m., the Boulder Office of Emergency Management ordered an evacuation notice for the town of Superior — population of about 12,000 people.”
-
Tesla building ‘engulfed’
“The Tesla building @ McCaslin Blvd & Marshall Rd is fully engulfed per radio traffic. Report of structure fire 300 blk S 68th St,” a fire scanner reported of the fires in the Superior/Louisville area.
-
What is happening with the fires?
An official Twitter account for the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder forecast office reported about the threat of the wildfires on Thursday.
“Life threating situation in Superior and Louisville areas! Fast moving fires are in the area. Gather more information and please be prepared to evacuate immediately. # cowx.”
One user replied to the warning with a photo of a residential neighborhood and smoke behind them.
“Lots of smoke visible from Lafayette- Hope everyone can stay safe,” they wrote.
-
Roads shut down
Some roads, including Colorado 93, have been shut down by the winds that are spurring on the wildfires, according to The Denver Post.
Some trucks have been “toppled,” the outlet noted.
-
Thousands evacuated
The Boulder Office of Emergency Management ordered an evacuation notice for the town of Superior around 1pm, the Denver Post reported.
The town has a population of about 12,000 people.
About an hour later, fire command ordered an evacuation of Louisville as well, which has about 20,000 people.
“Boulder County Office of Emergency Management has just announced an Evacuation Order for ALL of Superior, Colorado residents,” the town said on Twitter.
-
Seven new fires
A Twitter account that follows wildfires in the Northern California area noted that seven new fires were reported nearby Boulder, Colorado around 4pm.
-
115mph gust hits
The Denver Channel/Denver 7 reported an astounding figure when it comes to wind gusts driving the Colorado wildfires.
According to the outlet, Denver7’s Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson said a 115mph gust hit Rocky Flats.
-
Burn victims
A Boulder weather account on Twitter noted that a nurse in the area said they are treating “lots of burn patients” in the wake of the fires.
-
‘Massive fires in the fields’
One Boulder outlet on Twitter shared terrifying photos and video of a wildfire ripping through fields in the area.
-
Over 100mph gusts
The Denver Post reported wind gusts topping 100 mph as strong winds have whipped up wildfires in Boulder, County in Colorado.
The National Weather Service reported a wind gust of 105 mph that was recorded at Rocky Flats.
-
Governor’s statement
Gov Jared Polis, who lives in Boulder, issued a statement about the fire, according to KDVR.
“Prayers for thousands of families evacuating from the fires in Superior and Boulder County. Fast winds are spreading flames quickly and all aircraft are grounded.”
-
Smoke visible on weather radar
“Very strong winds fueling the #marshallfire. Never a good sign when radar shows a smoke plume this strong,” the National Weather Service out of Boulder tweeted on Thursday.
“Please heed all evacuations associated with this fire. Follow @BoulderOEM for latest evacuations and official fire info.”
-
Louisville under evacuation
The entire city of Lousiville is under evacuation orders due to fires in the area, according to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management and The Denver Channel.
-
Multiple fires
The Denver Channel reported there are multiple fires in Colorado leading to a dangerous situation.
The outlet noted that there are, “Multiple growing and fast-moving grass fires” in Boulder County.
-
Where are the fires?
The wildfires are in the Boulder, Colorado area.
The National Weather Service out of Boulder said there is a “Life threating situation in Superior and Louisville areas!”
Source: thesun
