As the year draws to a close, tens of thousands of Colorado residents have been forced to leave their homes due to wind-driven wildfires across the state.
Per the Associated Press, authorities said at least 500 homes have been destroyed in the fires and at least seven people have been injured. So far, as of Friday, Dec. 31, no deaths or missing persons have been reported. The fires first started on Thursday just outside of Denver—sweeping across the state at high winds and speeds of approximately 169 KPH.
Governor Jared Polis, who joined emergency teams on Friday morning to survey the impact of the fires, said, "We might have our very own New Year’s miracle on our hands if it holds up that there was no loss of life."
On Friday, the path of destruction the fires left behind was immediately clear, with homes left destroyed in and around the areas of Louisville and Superior. Residents were told to flee on Thursday, Dec. 30 as the fires continued to spread. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said that the full extent of the damage will remain unclear until emergency crews can assess the scene safely.
“It’s unbelievable when you look at the devastation that we don’t have a list of 100 missing persons," said the Sheriff, who noted that some small communities are now "smoking holes in the ground." It remains unclear when residents will be given the go-ahead to return to their homes, but it's still too dangerous for many due to the damage and some lingering, smaller fires.
