Hundreds of homes were destroyed by flames in the state of Colorado on Thursday, authorities said, as the fire was fueled by strong winds following a historic drought in the area.
"We know that about 370 homes in the Sagamor area have been destroyed. "It is possible that 210 houses were destroyed in the old town of Superior," Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelly told a news conference.
The city of Boulder, with a population of over 100.000, is located about XNUMX miles from Denver, the capital of Colorado. Colorado, in the American West, is experiencing a historical drought, which has greatly facilitated the spread of fire.
At least 6.480 acres of vegetation were reduced to ashes in Boulder County. The flames engulfed hotels and shopping malls. Gusts of wind with a speed of more than 160 kilometers per hour in places give momentum to the flames and unimaginably complicate the work of firefighters.
"I would like to stress that given the scale and intensity of this fire, as well as the fact that it is located in a very densely populated area, we would not be surprised if we had injuries or deaths," warned Sheriff Peli.
So far there is information only for six injured. Thousands of residents were ordered to leave their homes immediately yesterday. The order concerned in particular Louisville, a city of 20.000 inhabitants.
"If you are in the area, leave immediately," Boulder County emergency services warned residents. "Strong winds are spreading the flames quickly and all the planes are stuck on the ground," Jared Polis, the governor of this mountainous US state where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains, said via Twitter. He declared a state of emergency.
"Leave Louisville because otherwise your life will be in danger," the US Meteorological Agency insisted, referring to winds of gusts of up to 170 kilometers per hour.