One of the three people who disappeared after the unusual fires that have burned in Colorado since Thursday was found "alive and well," state officials reported Sunday.
The search for the other two continues, as investigators continue to probe the causes of the fire, which has destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and left thousands evacuated.
Snowfall and cold temperatures hit Boulder County, the worst hit, and other towns like Superior and Louisville on Saturday.
Severe weather has complicated search and rescue efforts.
"Something started that fire and it's our responsibility to find out what it was
," Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said Sunday.
"(But) I can't speculate."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the cause of the fires.
The authorities initially suspected that they had occurred after the fall of an electrical cable, but later they ruled out that possibility.
Pelle said on Saturday that authorities were following a series of leads and had executed a search warrant at "a particular location," although he declined to give details.
"If there was any form of arson or accidental, I hope the perpetrators are held liable under the law for the total devastation caused," Colorado Governor Jared Polis said Sunday.
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According to a preliminary report from the Office of Emergency Management, 991 structures were destroyed in Boulder County and more than 120 had been damaged as of January 1.
About 6,000 acres were razed.
No deaths have been reported, although the Boulder Sheriff said Saturday he doubted the missing were found alive, taking into account "the speed and ferocity" of the fire.
"I think it's miraculous that there are only three and not hundreds" missing, Pelle said.
In the town of Superior, 12 businesses were damaged, including a Target, a Chuck E. Cheese, a Tesla car dealership, a hotel and the city hall.
Utility workers were working Sunday to restore most of the electricity to the houses that still stood, but warned that gas service could take longer to return.
In the devastated areas, groups of people have lined up to receive donated heaters, bottled water and blankets at Red Cross shelters.
Electric and gas company Xcel Energy
has urged residents to use fireplaces and wood stoves
to keep warm and prevent pipes in homes from freezing.
President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration on Saturday allowing federal aid for temporary shelter and reconstruction efforts in the area.
Unusual December fires
Wildfires rarely occur during the winter, particularly in areas like Boulder County, where the ground tends to be wet from snow.
Forestry experts warn that this rare December event may not be so unusual in the future, due to climate change.
Search for three missing in Colorado wildfire
Jan. 2, 202200: 19
"Clearly, climate change is worsening the conditions for wildfires to occur in most fire-prone regions of the world," Keith Musselman, a hydrologist and research assistant professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, told NBC News.
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In recent months,
Colorado has experienced a severe drought.
From July 1 to December 29, 2021, Denver recorded its least amount of precipitation by more than an inch, with snowfall at record levels as well.
In Blouder, where about 30 inches of snow usually falls between September and December, there was just one inch in that period leading up to the day of the fire.
"I know for many it seems like a surreal experience," Governor Polis said Sunday.
"Just a few days ago we were celebrating Christmas
at home and now the house and home have been destroyed."
“But I want the community to know that it is not alone.
The entire United States force is here with the FEMA administrator, the county, the commissioners, the state, all working together.
There is a long way to go ”.
