Wildfires outside of Denver destroyed at least 580 homes, forced the evacuation of 30,000 and sent six people to hospitals as fire crews prepare to further assess the destruction Friday morning. Reports from the scene described a ferocious blaze that became more devastating because the area is bone dry and it spread with the help of 105 mph wind gusts. “The end won’t come until the wind subsides,” Joe Pelle, the Boulder County sheriff, said. “This is the kind of fire you can’t fight head-on. We actually had deputy sheriffs and firefighters in areas that had to pull out because they just got overrun.”
State officials have already said the Marshall fire has destroyed more homes in the state than any wildfire in history. There are fears the fire could have been “twice as destructive as the Black Forest Fire” that hit the state a decade ago.
Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency, allowing the state to access disaster emergency funds.
The Boulder Office of Emergency Management is asking those displaced by the fires not to return to their homes at this time. The office will notify residents when they can start returning home here and will provide other updates at 10 a.m. via a Facebook livestream here.
Residents of Broomfield can find updates here.
Residents of Superior can find updates here.
Residents of Louisville can find updates here.
Evacuation centers
These centers will provide overnight shelter unless otherwise noted.
YMCA Arapahoe Center:
2800 Dagny Way
Lafayette, CO 80027
(303) 664-5455
North Boulder Recreation Center
3170 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80304
(303) 413-7260
Rocky Mountain Christian Church
9447 Niwot Road
Longmont, CO 80503
(303) 652-2211
COVID-positive evacuees only:
Mount Calvary Lutheran
3485 Stanford Ct
Boulder, CO 80305
(303) 499-1444
Longmont Senior Center (Not an overnight shelter):
910 Longs Peak Ave.
Longmont, CO 80501
(303) 651-8411
NOTE: The South Boulder Recreation Center is closed, and everyone has been evacuated to YMCA Arapahoe Center.
People with large animals:
Jefferson County Fairgrounds:
15200 W. 6th Ave. Frontage Rd.
Golden, CO 80401
NOTE: The Boulder County Fairgrounds animal evacuation site is FULL
If you need to shelter a horse, visit this Facebook page for more information.
Where to donate
The Boulder County Wildfire Fund is collecting donations for evacuees.
The Airbnb Open Homes Program vets potential hosts and connects them with people who are in need of shelter.
Find out more about the program and how to host here.
JEWISHColorado has set up a fund for those displaced by the fire. One-hundred percent of donations go to the victims.
The American Red Cross of Colorado is at evacuation shelters. Donate to their efforts here.
