05/06/2024
  • Two grass fires were sparked in Colorado on Thursday morning after strong winds caused power lines to fall and transformers to explode 
  • Six people have been taken to hospital in Broomfield with burns, a hospital spokesman confirmed 
  • Residents of Superior, home to 12,500, and Louisville, population 21,000, are being evacuated as the fires continue, with the Marshall Fire threatening the town and affecting an estimated 1,200 acres 
  • Boulder County residents have been told to flee if they see smoke or flames and evacuation centers have been established around the area
  • Pre-evacuation orders have been issued for some parts of the town of Broomfield as the Marshall Fire continues to spread 
  • Thousands of people are reportedly out of power as the wind storm rages on
  • Roads have been closed as high wind have blown several vehicles over and Denver International Airport has halted flights 
  • Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency, and tweeted: ‘Fast winds are spreading flames quickly and all aircraft are grounded’

Colorado’s governor has issued a state of emergency as two wildfires swept the grasslands around Boulder, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.

Six people were taken to hospital with burns said Kelli Christensen, a spokeswoman for UC Health in Broomfield, speaking to The Colorado Sun.

Thousands of frightened residents have been ordered to evacuate after strong winds downed power lines and caused a transformer to explode, sparking two fast-moving grass fires, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

The Middle Fork Fire is north of Boulder near the intersection of North Foothills Highway and Middle Fork Road.

The Marshall Fire is south of Boulder close to the intersection of South Cherryvale Road and Marshall Drive.

The size of the fires have not been confirmed, but some estimates put the Marshall Fire at 1,200 acres.

All residents of Superior, a total of about 4,000 households, have been instructed to evacuate, authorities announced. Evacuees were directed to the South Boulder Recreation Center – where the power has now been knocked out – the Lafayette YMCA, or the Longmont Senior Center.

Residents of Louisville, population 21,000, have also been directed to quickly evacuate. The South Boulder Recreation Center is serving as an evacuation site.

Shoppers at a Costco in the town of Superior were evacuated, with Tison Hoff, a shipping receiving manager for the company, tweeting dramatic footage of the smoke blotting out the sun.

Small fires were seen burning around the parking lot as Hoff drove away from the scene.

Back at his home, he tweeted the footage and then added: ‘Scariest day of my life.’

Other social media users shared footage of the smoke and burning grasses around the store.

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