Homes burn as wildfires rip through a development near Rock Creek Village Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. Homes surrounding the Flatiron Crossing mall were being evacuated as wildfires raced through the grasslands as high winds raked the intermountain West. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
LOUISVILLE, Colo. — The governor of Colorado offered a live update Friday on a devastating wildfire that destroyed homes in his state Thursday.
Wind gusts of up to 105 miles per hour whipped the flames, spreading the Colorado wildfire and destroying more than 500 homes, according to Gov. Jared Polis.
“The last 24 hours have been devastating,” Polis said. “This hit close to home for so many of us.”
Polis said President Joe Biden had offered his support and given verbal approval for a disaster declaration. He noted this wildfire feels different in part because it struck not the forest but urban and suburban areas.
Two towns, Louisville and Superior, with a combined population of around 34,000 residents, found themselves at the epicenter of the wildfire activity. Located roughly 20 miles northwest of Denver, the area is a bedroom community to Denver and Boulder.
By late Friday morning, Polis reported that snow falling in the area helped to dampen any new fire activity, though hotspots continued to burn.
Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said he knew of no fatalities related to the fast-moving wildfire, but at least one Colorado first responder and six other people suffered injuries.
This story will be updated.