CO | Marshall and Middle Fork Fires

Published Friday, December 31, 2021, 1230 PT

INCIDENT SUMMARY

MARSHALL and MIDDLE FORK FIRES burning in Superior (Boulder County), Colorado which ignited on Thursday, December 30th, after several powerlines came down and made contact with dry grass. The grass fires had turned into several wildfires with extreme fire behavior, which had wind-driven runs, spotting, and a fast rate of spread. The winds have died down and Officials are assessing the damage. Some fire remains in parts of the City.

The MIDDLE FORK FIRE is located on the north side of Boulder and the MARSHALL FIRE is near South Cherryvale Road and Marshall Drive and south of Boulder. It is also located 7.3 miles WNW of Denver, Colorado.

The Incident # is 2021-COBLX-000995.

CAUSE

Initial reports of downed powerlines in or near the ignition area. Xcel Energy Colorado has been a very responsive and invaluable partner. At this point, they have inspected all of their lines within the ignition area and found no downed powerlines. They did find some compromised communication lines that may have been misidentified as powerlines. Typically, communications lines (telephone, cable, internet, etc.) would not be the cause of a fire. The full investigation is still ongoing and we will share more updates as they become available. – Boulder OEM official statement via their FB page

MESSAGE BOARD

Animal Rescue – Fill out a form on the Boulder County OEM site to report a missing or lost pet. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/add48738c8fa4ace846f3a9e3d3a5dd1

Boulder County Emergency Call Center – Phone #303-413-7730.

Boil Water Order for Superior – The town of Superior issues a warning to boil water before consuming if you are a resident of the Upper Township, you must start using bottled water or boiling water to drink, make ice, brush teeth, wash dishes, and cook, until further notice. It is recommended to let the water boil for at least a minute and then let it cool before using. (Source: Boulder Co OEM)

Broomfield Detention Center – 11600 Ridge Pkwy in Broomfield is in the mandatory evacuation area. Inmates who moved to another facility on December 30, 2021, are safe. This facility is closed, unstaffed and phones are not being answered.

Physical Donations – Go to website https://bouldercounty.wufoo.com/forms/donations/ and click on “Donate items to the Marshall Fire”

Monetary Donations – Go to this website and click on “Cash Donations” tab. https://www.boulderoem.com/emergency-status/

Donations – Community Foundation of Boulder County has set up the Boulder County Wildfire Fund for people wanting to donate in relation to the #MarshallFire and #MiddleForkFire to respond to immediate and long-term needs as they emerge. https://www.commfound.org/…/Boulder-County-Wildfire-Fund

Donate your Time – https://coloradoresponds.communityos.org/ – Colorado Division of Homeland Security. Fill out a volunteer form.

Emergency Alert System Information – Sign up for emergency alerts. https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612231/login This is the 911 Emergency page that is supported by the City of Longmont Dept. of Public Safety, Boulder County Sheriff Office, Boulder Police, and the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.

Evacuation Updates – https://www.boulderoem.com/urgent-request-stay-away-from-evacuation-areas/ (Source: Boulder County OEM)

Lodging – Boulder Adventure Lodge in Boulder states they can provide temporary housing for those who have been evacuated. Dogs welcome. The lobby is closed until Monday. Contact them via Instagram or Facebook page. (Posted 12/31/2021 1311 PT)

May be an image of bedroom and text that says 'A' — Credit: A-Lodge

North Boulder Rec Center – is closing as an evacuation shelter. A few people who used the facility and are still remaining will be relocated to other shelters. The COVD positive evac shelter is for adults only. OEM is working on establishing a family COVID shelter soon and will post the address and location of the new shelter.

Power Outages – Xcel Energy – https://www.outagemap-xcelenergy.com/outagemap/

Pubilc Information Map – https://bouldercounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=13ab214fe2bb4da5a850df0ca0f00fc5

Space Heaters – Xcel will provide space heaters to affected customers in Superior and Louisville. To pick up a space heater, please stop by the Red Cross shelter at YMCA in Lafayette at 2800 Dagny Way. They are also working closely to restore services to any houses not damaged or destroyed by fire. (Source: OEM)

YMCA Donations – The Boulder OEM Office is asking folks NOT to take donations to the Lafayette Center as they are seriously overwhelmed. Please use the link to donate or request items https://bouldercounty.wufoo.com/forms/donations/ No housing requests at this stie.

FIRE RESPONSE

12/30/2021 1602 MT — Paramedics from the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District responded to Boulder County to assist with patient evacuation. Volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and Medics remain in the district to respond to emergencies.