Large fires burning in Boulder County, two cities evacuated, more than 500 homes lost

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Emergency crews are responding to a large fire situation with multiple grassfires burning in Boulder County Thursday afternoon as wind gusts reach up to 80 mph.

You can keep up to date with road closures, evacuation areas and other important information with the official Public Information Map at: https://t.co/G84PK2l1Wl

Update: According to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, 370 homes were lost west of Superior, 210 were lost in Old Town Superior, and the Target shopping center in Superior.

At least six people were reported injured from the fire.

Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle held a media briefing on the fires at 5 p.m. Thursday on Facebook:

Preliminary reports say downed powerlines caused the two fires. The Boulder County Sheriff's Office says the official cause will be determined at a later date, but deputies believe it was caused by downed powerlines.

The BCSO says crews spent the day essentially running ahead of the fire and evacuating people.

According to the National Weather Service, a wind gust that reached over 100 mph knocked down power lines, which started the fires.

Below is a list of evacuations as of 8:40 p.m.:

• At about 1:10 p.m., the National Weather Service said the entire town of Superior was under an evacuation order.
• By about 2:15 p.m., an evacuation order was issued for the city of Louisville.
• At 4:16 p.m., Centura Health announced all patients and staff were being evacuated from the Avista Adventist Hospital.
• At 8:39 p.m., Westminster Police announced evacuation orders for the Meadow View neighborhood 107th west of Country Side Dr.
• At 5:14 p.m. the Broomfield Police Department released a map for mandatory evacuation. That includes everyone south of US 36 to 112th and West of Wadsworth. That includes Interlocken area.

UPDATE: 🚨🚨🚨 This is the most up-to-date evacuation map for @broomfield. Yellow is pre-evac and red is mandatory evac. @NMFirePIO pic.twitter.com/QwUKxlgNrA

— Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) December 31, 2021

Below are pre-evacuation orders as of 8:40 p.m.:

• The Boulder Police Department announced at 2:50 pre-evacuation orders are in place for residents at Caliber at Flatirons Apartments, Retreat at Flatirons Apts, Terracina of Broomfield Apts, Vantage Point Apts, Holiday Inn Express, and the Hyatt House.
• The City of Lafayette told residents west of Highway 287 between Arapahoe and Dillon to consider leaving immediately to be prepared if conditions worsen at 3:36 p.m.

For pre-evacuation areas, residents are asked to gather essentials like prescriptions, medical supplies, pet supplies, important papers, and alert neighbors if possible.

The grassfire is "moving fast," according to the National Weather Service. One was seen initially burning in the southeast side of town near Highway 93 and Highway 170.

Thursday night the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a boil water advisory for the entire city of Louisville.

If you’re located in the City of Louisville, protect yourself by using bottled water or boiling any water to be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. After bringing water to a boil, let it boil for three minutes and then let it cool before using. You can shower in the water without boiling it. If you are experiencing any symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches, you may want to seek medical advice. The department has not received any reports of individuals who have become sick from drinking contaminated water at this time.

CDPHE

#MarshallFire road closure at Hwy 93 and CR 170. Please avoid area.

— Boulder OEM (@BoulderOEM) December 30, 2021

Fast-moving grass fire south of Boulder visible from our office. Multiple wildfires burning across the county.

This is becoming a very high impact wind event for our area, please take it seriously and abide by any evacuation orders from local authorities. pic.twitter.com/5lTNn3M6Hx

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) December 30, 2021

"IF YOU SEE FIRE, EVACUATE," says a brief warning from the Boulder County Office of Emergency Management. Fires were seen approaching some structures.

According to Boulder County OEM, evacuation points are the North Boulder Rec Center in Boulder and the Longmont Senior Center at 910 Longs Peak Avenue in Longmont. The South Boulder Rec Center evacuation center was closed and has no electricity. Large animals can be evacuated to the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont. The First Bank Center at 11450 Broomfield Ln. in Broomfield also opened as an evacuation shelter.

Broomfield Police shared a photo of the fire from the east and urged drivers to avoid traveling to Boulder Thursday afternoon.

Several people were in shopping centers and restaurants when evacuations began.

Peter Fox shared a video at CO 170 and 93, roughly over an hour after the fire first broke out.

At 3:14 p.m., Governor Jared Polis declared a State of Emergency in response to the fire. This declaration allows the state to access disaster emergency funds to support the emergency response efforts in Boulder and provide state resources. That includes the Colorado National Guard, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and activation of the State Emergency Operations Center.

The National Weather Service shared this satellite imagery showing the heat radiating from the Marshall Fire:

Satellite imagery (from 22,200 miles up in space), clearly show the heat from the #MarshallFire this evening. #COwx pic.twitter.com/G4ihw4Ho6D

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) December 31, 2021

The Colorado Springs Fire Department told KRDO they are part of a five department task force heading to Boulder County to battle the fire. CSFD is sending a Battalion Chief and Engine 9. Also on the task force is Fort Carson Fire Department, Cimarron Hills FD, Security FD, Manitou FD, and Black Forest FD. CSFD says crews will be put on the line as soon as they arrive, they have been requested as structure protection.

Donations to the Boulder County community can be donated through the Boulder County Wildfire Fund.

The fires are being labeled the #MiddleForkFire and #MarshallFire. More information is expected to be provided throughout the night and Friday morning.

This is a developing situation, check back for updates.