Nearly 1,000 homes now found destroyed in Colorado fires; 2 people feared dead
The towns of Superior and Louisville took the brunt of the damage with 553 homes destroyed and another 45 damaged in Louisville.
Colorado residents assess wildfire damage among snow, ash
Roughly 30,000 people were forced to evacuate while the wildfires burned in northern Colorado. FOX Weather's Nicole Valdes has the latest update from Louisville.
BOULDER, Colo. -- Two people remain missing and are now feared dead after fires ripped through entire neighborhoods outside of Boulder, Colorado Thursday, destroying nearly a thousand homes. "Yesterday we were at three, today we have accounted for one of those gentlemen," said Boulder County Sheriff, Joe Pelle in a press conference Sunday. "So we are currently at two missing persons, and we are in the process today of trying to locate and, if possible recover those folks."
According to Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, the towns of Superior and Louisville took the brunt of the damage, with 553 homes destroyed and another 45 damaged in Louisville. Crews counted 332 homes destroyed in Superior, with another 60 damaged.
Another 106 homes were burned in the county areas west of Superior, with 22 more suffering damage, Pelle said.
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Image 1 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: A man walks by burned homes in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 2 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Jack Bushong, left, and Ryan Albrecht, take photos of the burned area in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 3 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: A man on a bike rides by burned homes in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 4 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Homes are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 5 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Ron Mostek, a subcontractor for Xcel Energy, uses a utility locater to look for gas and electric lines amidst the rubble of homes that are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 6 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Melted tail lights adorn the rear of a car as it sits burned on the side of a street in front of a home devastated by the Marshall fire in a Louisville subdivision to the south of Harper Lake on Friday, December 31, 2021. (Photo by Photographer Name/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 7 of 30LOUISVILLE, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: Homes were destroyed by the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 8 of 30LOUISVILLE, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: Much of the Coal Creek Ranch neighborhood was destroyed in the Marshall Fire that sweep through Boulder County on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 9 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Berthoud Fire Department firefighter Alec Huggins walks back to his engine in the heavy snow as he and his team wait to be demobilized off of the Marshall Fire at the staging at the Louisville Recreation Center on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. A type I team will be taking over management of the fire. The fire potentially may have burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry, drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 10 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Xcel Energy workers Christopher Hernandez, center and James Hernandez. right, use utility locaters to look for gas and electric lines amidst the rubble of homes that are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 11 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Houses are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 12 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: People look at homes that continue to smolder in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 13 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Burned houses in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 14 of 30LOUISVILLE, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: A firefighter clears the gutter so water can run down the street as they work on putting out hot spots at a home destroyed by the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 15 of 30LOUISVILLE, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: Fire crews work on putting out hot spots at a home destroyed by the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 16 of 30SUPERIOR, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: The Element hotel burnt to the ground in the Marshall Fire that sweep across Boulder County on December 31, 2021 in Superior, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 17 of 30SUPERIOR, CO - DECEMBER 31: Houses smolder2 in the aftermath of the Marshall fire in Rock Creek above the Interlocken golf course December 31, 2021. The Marshall fire, fueled by very high winds, destroyed over 500 houses. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 18 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: A homeowner places the American Flag on the bak of his burned out truck on Cherrywood Lane near Cypress Lane in Louisville December 31, 2021. The homeowner lost his home in the Marshall fire, which was fueled by very high winds and destroyed over 500 houses. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)"n"n ( )
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Image 19 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Excel Engery crews work to shut off gas lines in a burned out neighborhood along N. McCaslin Blvd and Via Appia way as a result of the Marshall Fire December 31, 2021. The Marshall fire, fueled by very high winds, destroyed over 500 houses. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)"n"n ( )
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Image 20 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Xcel Energy worker Christopher Hernandez, center, working around a completely burned out car, uses utility locaters to look for gas and electric lines amidst the rubble of homes that are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 21 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Houses are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 22 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: A man on a bike rides by burned homes in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 23 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: People on bikes survey the damage of burned homes in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 24 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Xcel Energy worker Christopher Hernandez, right, working around a completely burned out car, uses utility locaters to look for gas and electric lines amidst the rubble of homes that are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 25 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Houses are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 26 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Houses are burned to the ground in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 27 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: A cyclist rides through a neighborhood littered with burned out homes and vehicles along N. McCaslin Blvd near Via Appia December 31, 2021. The Marshall fire, fueled by very high winds, destroyed over 500 houses. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)"n"n ( )
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Image 28 of 30LOUISVILLE, CO - DECEMBER 31: Burned houses in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire on December 31, 2021 in Louisville, Colorado. The fire may have potentially burned 1000 homes and numerous business. The fast moving fire was stocked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 29 of 30A statue of the Virgin Mary is all that remains at the site of a home in The Enclave neighborhood of Louisville, Colorado on December 31, 2021. - A fast-spreading wildfire that tore through several Colorado towns -- laying waste to entire neighborhoods "in the blink of an eye," according to the governor -- had largely burned itself out Friday, with heavy snow expected to douse any remaining embers. (Photo by Jason Connolly / AFP) (Photo by JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 30 of 30Smoke rises at the scorched remains of a resident destroyed by the Marshall Fire in The Enclave neighborhood of Louisville, Colorado on December 31, 2021. - A fast-spreading wildfire that tore through several Colorado towns -- laying waste to entire neighborhoods "in the blink of an eye," according to the governor -- had largely burned itself out Friday, with heavy snow expected to douse any remaining embers. (Photo by Jason Connolly / AFP) (Photo by JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Pelle said the damage counts could still rise, but the bulk of the damage has been accounted for.
In addition, one woman remains missing in Superior, and a man is missing in Marshall, Pelle said. Officials believe the two likely perished in the blaze, and cadaver dogs are being brought in to search for bodies Sunday.
Chaos at Colorado Costco: Shoppers evacuate as grassfires spread
Video shows shoppers evacuating a Costco in Superior, Colorado as high winds make for dangerous grassfire conditions.
The fires erupted Thursday afternoon as winds gusting as high as 75-90 mph roared through the Boulder area, with gusts exceeding 100 mph closer to the mountain foothills. Flames quickly overwhelmed communities and businesses and prompted more than 30,000 to evacuate.
"This was a disaster in fast motion all over the course of half a day," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said during a news conference Friday. "Many families having minutes, minutes to get whatever they could, their pets, their kids into the car and leave. The last 24 hours have been devastating. It's really unimaginable."
Over 6,000 acres burned in the fires, all within just 24 hours, officials said.
The cause of the fires remains under investigation.
While initial reports blamed downed power lines as the cause, investigators have to find credible evidence of fallen power lines. Fire investigators are working several tips and have executed a search warrant in the area, but they have not uncovered any evidence so far, Pelle said.
Marshall Fire Before and After
Before and after photos from the Marshall Fire that destroyed several neighborhoods in the Boulder, Colorado area. (Imagery courtesy: Maxar)
Meanwhile, some residents in Superior and Louisville will be allowed to return to their homes. However, driving is limited to daylight hours, and power may not yet be restored to some areas, according to Dave Hayes with the City of Louisville.
After dealing with an extreme dry stretch and damaging winds during the event, crews faced a rapid change to wintry weather in the hours after the fires swept through. A storm dumped over 10 inches of snow in Boulder, with temperatures dropping to single digits Saturday morning.