United States: hundreds of homes destroyed by fires in Colorado

Hundreds of homes were destroyed by fires in Colorado on Thursday.

“About 370 homes in the Sagamore subdivision were destroyed.

It is possible that 210 homes were destroyed in Old Town Superior, ”Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle told a news conference.

The city of Boulder, which has more than 100,000 inhabitants, is located about fifty kilometers from Denver, the capital of Colorado.

This state is experiencing a historic drought that has greatly facilitated the spread of the flames.

In Boulder County, hotels, shopping centers and more than 650 acres of greenery have gone up in smoke.

Gusts of more than 160 km / h were observed in some places, complicating the efforts of the firefighters.

> Update: Sherriff says 580 homes, Element Hotel have burned ... # BoulderFires #MarshallFire #cowx

> Wind-fueled fires rip thought Boulder County pic.twitter.com/GOar17QgRC

- (🐴 ~ V0DKA C0llins ~ 🐴) 🖥⏳ (@ Qr3141) December 31, 2021

"I would like to emphasize the scale and intensity of this fire and its presence in such a densely populated area, we would not be surprised if there were injuries or deaths," the sheriff warned. Joe Pelle.

According to the Colorado Sun newspaper, several people required treatment for burns, at least six of whom were hospitalized.

"It was so dark you couldn't see anything"

Thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate, especially in Louisville, a city of 20,000 residents.

"Leave Louisville or your life will be in danger", had insisted the meteorological services.

"Strong winds quickly spread the flames and all the planes are grounded," tweeted Jared Polis, the governor of this state.

In the town of Superior, Colorado, the flames are raging.

(Broomfield Police Department / AFP) AFP or licensors

Another city targeted by a full evacuation order, Superior, 13,000 inhabitants, was covered Thursday in a cloud of dark smoke, according to images posted on social networks.

“Everything is in flames.

There are embers everywhere.

I am very afraid, of course, with the wind, that it will continue to spread to other houses, says a resident.

It was so dark you couldn't see a thing.

It's like the black of the night ”

An autumn of record drought and heat

Like much of the American West, Colorado has struggled with exceptional drought for several years. With global warming, the intensity and frequency of drought and heatwave episodes are likely to increase further, continuing to create ideal conditions for forest or bush fires. In recent years, the American West has experienced unprecedented fires, particularly in California and Oregon.

For Daniel Swain, a meteorologist at UCLA, it is "hard to believe" that these fires take place in December, a period usually not conducive to this type of event in the region.

"But take a record-breaking heat and drought fall, only two centimeters of snow so far this season, and add a storm with extreme downward gusts ..., the researcher tweets, and the result is extremely dangerous and lasting fires. move very quickly ”.