The MARSHALL FIRE was reported near the area of South Foot Hills and Marshall Road which quickly spread to portions of Superior, to areas of Louisville and in other locations inside unincorporated Boulder County, Colorado on December 30th around 1100 hours MT. At the time of the fire, Fire and Law Enforcement Officials had not determined the cause of the fire but it was under close scrutiny and investigation.
The fire would quickly spread from the location of the original area of the fire and become wind-driven from reports of gusts up to over 100-mph, with a fast rate of spread and with extreme spotting. Communities, large structures, and other infrastructure were significantly damaged to being completely destroyed.
The Incident # is 2021-COBLX-000995.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS
Throughout the Boulder County area
1,084 residential structures were lost
149 homes were damaged
Total residential property losses are estimated at $513,212,589
7 commercial structures were destroyed
30 others were damaged
A complete assessment of commercial property damage and lost assets have not been fully calculated and are still in progress at the time of this post
City of Louisville
The damage and destruction which occurred to both residential and commercial structures are significant and will impact these communities for a very long time.
Damage Assessment
Destroyed: 500 residential and 4 commerncial structures
Damaged: 43 residential and 14 commercial structures
Total residential property damage is $229,199,184
Assessed values are based upon the Boulder County Tax Assessor’s Office
Town of Superior
Damage Assessment
Destroyed: 378 residential and 4 commercial structures
Damaged: 58 residential and 58 commercial structures
Total residential property damage is $152,757,462
Unincorporated Boulder County
Damage Assessment
Destroyed: 156 residential and 2 commercial structures
FIRE RESOURCES
Command
The Rocky Mountain Area Type 1 IMT assumed command on January 1, 2022, at 0600 hours are helping local resources with the management of this large and catastrophic incident.
RESOURCES
Boulder County Call Center | 303-413-7730
Disaster Assistance Center | 1755 S. Public Road, Lafayette | 0900-1900 hours, 7 days a week
Two fires started on December 30th, the MIDDLE FORK FIRE which started on this day just after 1030 hours MT due to an unknown ignition source in the area of North Foothills and Middle Fork was said to have received reports of several powerlines down, transformers blowing which has caused several grass fires from the downed and sparking lines, said the BCSO PIO on the date the incident took place. They also stated a second fire was burning near the block of North Broadway.
MARSHALL FIRE
Firefighters would quickly knock down this fire and were holding it to one acre. Crews on scene mopping up. A WIND WARNING was issued for the Boulder County area with west winds expected to reach 25 to 40 mph and with gusts to 80 mph. A damaging wind warning was given stating it will blow down trees and power lines and to use caution, especially high profile vehicles.
A second large fire named the MARSHALL FIRE was reportedly near the area of South Foot Hills and Marshall Road, which spread quickly to Superior, portions of Louisville, and areas in unincorporated Boulder County just after 1100 hours MT on December 30th. Conditions were volatile and unsafe. At that point, the fire had burned 1,600-plus acres and was still spreading rapidly on the day it ignited. They thought the cause was powerlines but after searching the ignition point, there were only communication lines in the area, which would not have started the fire. They are still investigating and are not going “assume” what the cause is or they could be going down a rabbit hole. That is not their intention and they are still actively investigating the cause.
The Incident # is 2021-COBLX-000995.
CAUSE
The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
FIRE RESOURCES
Command
The Rocky Mountain Area Type 1 IMT assumed command on January 1, 2022, at 0600 hours MT. They are working with area partners such as the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (OEM) and other agencies.
Staffing
As of yesterday, there was 200 fire personnel along with Team Rubicon, Xcel Energy, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the Colorado National Guard, Red Cross, and numerous law enforcement attached to this incident.
SIZE UP
The MARSHALL FIRE scorched 6,219 acres and as of January 1, 2022, the fire had a perimeter of 62% containment. There have been 6,219 acres burned, with 991 structures destroyed and 127 more damaged. One minor injury to a Police Officer. Two people are still missing. One rescued.
RESOURCES
Boulder County Call Center | 303-413-7730
Disaster Assistance Center | 1755 S. Public Road, Lafayette | 0900-1900 hours, 7 days a week
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.
Credit: Security FD
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
The initial cause is still being investigated by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office stopping the public speculation that power lines knocked by winds and igniting grass were the leading ignition point but the power company says no power lines are in the area where the fire originated.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Windspeeds in some areas as high as 105 mph
Powerlines downed then lit grass on fire in two large areas
Thousands evacuated from Superior, Louisville and other areas in Boulder County, Colorado
As many as 500 homes and up to as high as 1,000 not including commercial buildings
Boulder County Emergency Call Center – Phone #303-413-7730. Closed at 2000 hours MT due to a low call volume. Will reopen on Saturday at 0900 hours, January 1, 2022.
Boil Water Order for Superior
There is a BOIL WATER order in effect for Town of Superior, City of Louisville, San Souci Mobile Home Park, East Boulder County Water District, Eldorado Artesian Spring water users. Please see the information below. You should not drink any tap water without boiling it. Go to the OEM’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BoulderOEM for further instructions. (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.
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
Credit | Michelle Ford FB, ICU Nurse at Centura Avista Adventist Hospital
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.
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)
North Boulder Rec Center
Closed 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.
To pick up an electric heater, please stop by the Red Cross shelter at YMCA in Lafayette at 2800 Dagny Way, or at the Boulder YWCA at 2222 14th St. between 0800 – 2000 MT (Source: Boulder County 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 site.
FIRE RESPONSE
Current Fire Status
Snow is falling in various areas where fires had impacted communities and areas, which is welcome but it is also bringing challenges. Fire transitioned over to a Federal Type 1 response with the Boulder County OEM as the lead agency. (as of 1312 MT).
As one who knows, we have covered a lot of wildfires, brush and grass fires over the last ten years, and when the media or others are complaining because firefighters are not going to head of the fire to stop it is ridiculous and absolutely dangerous. Why do we say this? Because when the winds are blowing up to 105 mph this not only puts firefighters’ lives in danger but is endangering the resources deployed to stop this fire safely and effectively.
Generally, wildland firefighters are fighting from the left and right flanks to the heel of the fire and then when it is safe to do, so the head of the fire. This was not your atypical brush /wildfire but more or less a firestorm burning up everything in its path. It was just like those in California, where it had been an unstoppable freight train.
KUDOS to all those who helped put out major fires and to hospital workers at Centura Avista Adventist Hospital for stopping the fire from impacting their major outdoor oxygen tanks that could have decimated their facility, killing citizens and staff to saving their building and lives around them. – Ed.
Posted 1725 MT | Credit: West Metro Fire Rescue
Fire Resources
Loveland Fire RFD had E433 released from the Marshall Fire, as it has been deployed on this incident for the last 26 hours. E52 has been released for the night back to quarters but will be returning in the morning and back on the fire ground.
Yoder Volunteer Fire Department sent one engine with three firefighters on Friday to the Marshall Fire. (YVFD posted 1614 MT)
Security FD dispatched E114 and a crew of four, one of several units from El Paso County and Colorado Springs deployed as mutual aid to assist Superior and Louisville areas.
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
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.
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
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.
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)
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.
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.
Posted 12/31/2021 1520 MT
Posted 12/31/2021 1115 MT.
Posted 12/30/2021 after midnight.
Posted 12/31/2021 0100 MT
Photo posted 12/31/2021 1030 MT, Taken 12/30/2021
Photo posted 12/31/2021 1358 MT
Posted 12/31/2021 0951 MT, Photo taken 12/30/2021 1915 MT
These are the 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 which have turned into several wildfires have extreme fire behavior, which has wind-driven runs, spotting, and a fast rate of spread.
Note: All times listed in this post are based upon Mountain Time, which is one hour ahead of Northwest (West Coast) time zone, our home territory.
MIDDLE FORK FIRE
The Middle Fork Fire is located on the north side of Boulder, Colorado.
This video was taken by BPD Patrol Officers in Superior…E of US-36…this afternoon. Our thoughts are with our neighbors tonight who lost their homes and businesses. We continue to assist our law enforcement and fire partners as necessary. #MarshallFire#MiddleForkFirepic.twitter.com/ceydZAAfEM
The Marshall Fire is located near South Cherryvale Road and Marshall Drive and 7.3 miles WNW of Denver and south of Boulder, Colorado. Lead Fire Agency is the Boulder County Office. Dispatch Center: Fort Collins Interagency Dispatch Center out of Fort Collins, Colorado. Incident #2021-COBLX-000995.
Credit | Boulder PD
MESSAGING BOARD
2325 MT | MEDIA BRIEFING. Boulder County Sheriff’s Office HQ 5600 Flatiron Pkwy at 1000 hours MT. Will be live-streamed on facebook.com/BoulderOEM/ (Source: Boulder County OEM)
2300 MT | Emergency Call Center closed at 2330 MT on Thursday but will reopen on Friday, December 31, 2021, at 0900 MT for Boulder County residents only. Non-county residents are being recommended to call their own counties. Their phone number is 303-413-7730. (Source: Boulder Co OEM)
2248 MT | Smoke Mapping
Credit/Source: NWS Boulder
The Boulder OEM Officials are asking nicely to remember the following important information:
Do not call the Emergency Call Center to check on structure damage and/or loss.
Do not call if you can make any type of donations.
The Center is trying to keep all lines clear for “real” emergencies.
Do not come back into the area if you are evacuated or have homes/property in the evac zone.
If you see fire, evacuate IMMEDIATELY!
2241 MT | The Detention Center is located at 11600 Ridge Pkwy in Broomfield in the mandatory evacuation area. All inmates have been evacuated to another facility and are safe. The Center is closed and staff is not answering phones. (Source: Broomfield PD)
2020 MT | “Don’t head towards the fires looking to see them. We are getting reports of clogged roads from onlookers. Also, it’s very dangerous. Stay clear of the areas with fires and let our firefighters and first responders do their work.” – CO Gov. Polis.
1948 MT | The High Wind Warnings have been canceled. (Source: NWS Boulder)
EVACUATION ORDERS, NOTICES
2252 MT | Meadow View neighborhood is no longer a part of any evacuation order. Firefighting efforts are now focused within Boulder County. (Source: Jeffcom911co)
2244 MT | We have confirmed with Boulder County emergency operations there are no remaining evacuation orders outside of Boulder County. They are working to update their map. All Westy residents are safe to return to their homes. (Source: Broomfield PD)
2155 MT | Residents that have property/homes and have evacuated, you are asked not to return to the area. First Responders are working non-stop to keep everyone safe. They don’t know the status of homes in the area. (Source: Boulder Co OEM)
2142 MT | | Mandatory Evacuations ordered by the Boulder OEM for the Meadowview Neighborhood. (Source: CO EMA)
2138 MT | All pre-evacuation orders for the Arvada area to include Highway 93 to Alkire St, from 96th Ave south to 82nd Ave, have been LIFTED for the time being. Please remain prepared should conditions change. There are NO pre-evacuation orders in Arvada at this point. (Source: Arvada PD)
2039 MT | Evacuation orders per Boulder County EOC: Meadow View neighborhood 107th/west of Country Side Dr. evacuate now. Once again this is a mandatory evacuation notice. (Source: Westminster PD)
1734 MT | Boulder Office of Emergency Management has provided an evacuation map. No evacuations have been ordered for Lafayette at this time, but residents west of 287 between Arapahoe and Dillon are encouraged to be prepared should the conditions worsen. (Source: Lafayette PD)
SHELTERS – ANIMALS
2017 MT | Riverdale Animal Shelter is assisting families with displaced pets and large animals due to fire evacuations in the region. For questions or more information, call 303.288.1535 or visit http://riverdaleanimalshelter.org (Source: Adams Co Govt)
1738 MT | Animals are being evacuated to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds as the Boulder County Fairgrounds shelter is FULL. The Jefferson County FG is located at 15200 W. 6th Avenue Road, Golden.
SHELTERS– PEOPLE
2017 MT | The American Red Cross of Colorado has opened an evacuation center ready to accommodate anyone needing information or other assistance due to the wildfires. The evacuation center is located at the YMCA of Northern Colorado, located at 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette, CO 80026. (Source: CoWyRedCross @COWYRedCross)
1853 MT | North Boulder Rec Center, Longmont Senior Center, and YMCA in Lafayette providing overnight shelter.
INFRASTRUCTURE
2007 MT | The entire City of Louisville is under a Boil Water Notice as of 7 pm December 30th. This is in effect until further notice. Please see details on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleCO (Source: City of Louisville, Colorado Government)
1955 MT | Wildfires have impacted Xcel Energy’s natural gas infrastructure supporting Summit County and Grand County. The company is putting in place periodic outages in some counties and asking Summit and Grand County customers to help conserve natural gas. http://spr.ly/6016JNAMY (Source: Xcel Energy Colorado)
Credit | Bennett-Watkins FD
1850 MT | Funds have been authorized to help fight wildfires. (Source: FEMA Region 8)
1551 MT | Power outage at the South Boulder Rec Center moved their evac center to the North Boulder Rec Center (NBRC), 3170 Broadway. The East Boulder Community Center is closed. (Source: Boulder Parks Rec).
EVACUEE RESOURCES
1616 MT | Family and loved ones hotline for the Avista Adventist Hospital can be reached at 303-661-1848. (Source: Centura Health)
2102 MT | Pets formerly boarded with the Dog Tag at Marshall Road were evacuated to the Humane Society of Border Valley, 2323 – 55th Street, Boulder, Co 80301. Missing your beloved pet? Check out their website of found pets here -> boulderhumane.org/found-pets/ (Source: Animal rescuers)
FIRE RESPONSE and RESOURCES
Credit | WMFR
1538 MT | 10 units and 20-plus personnel were deployed by the South Metro Fire Rescue agency and to tie in with four units from eastern Arapahoe County which included Byers FD, Bennett-Watkins FD (4 personnel and two wildland fire trucks), Sable Altura FD, and Strasburg Fire Protection District.
HOW TO HELP
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
About Superior, Colorado
The town of Superior was created as a coal mining town, and built on this industry where it was developed in the late 1800s but not incorporated until 1904, where the name “Superior” came from the quality of the coal found in the area, according to the city’s website.
Mining was the driving force for this town until the Industrial Mine closed in 1945 and moved out of the area. The area would change into a ranching and farming community. Today, the largest residential community is known as Rock Creek Ranch, which was subdivided in 1987 and continues to grow rapidly with approximately 2,700 single-family homes and 1,800 multi-family homes. The current population is 12,483 residents.
About Louisville, Colorado
The city of Louisville was named after Louis Nawatny, a local landowner. The town started out as a coal mine and was built by coal miners. City Hall has The Miners Memorial statue which is a symbol of the history of the people who built the City. The town was incorporated in June of 1882. The town is host to 1,700 acres of open space, which is about 26% of the City’s land area dedicated to parks and public space surrounded by many restaurants, a thriving arts scene. Additionally, it includes 32 miles of trails, which spreads throughout the community, and the Coal Creek Golf Course with panoramic views of water features and of the Flatirons.
About Boulder County, Colorado
This County in Colorado is home to more than 300,00 residents and its county seat is Boulder which incorporated towns and cities: Erie, Jamestown, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Superior, and Ward.
SUPERIOR, Colorado — Several wildfires are burning in the town of Superior, near Boulder, Colorado, which is forcing evacuations of multiple nearby towns, including the City of Louisville.
The cause of the fires is due to some downed powerlines, sparking multiple large wildfires.
Credit: Boulder Rural Fire Rescue – Middle Fork Fire
These are the MARSHALL and MIDDLE FORK FIRES.
Here are some resources for folks that may be impacted by the evacuations or are looking for information.
BOULDER COUNTY
Closures – Stazio COVID-19 testing site closed due to strong winds.
Evacuations for Animals – Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont. Enter through the Human Society entrance on Nelson Road as not to impact the Covid testing site.
Evacuations- City of Louisville, Superior: homes, businesses, large shopping malls, Costco. If you see fire, please evacuate – do not wait!
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