As Boulder County burned, Niwot became a safe space

For much of Thursday Dec. 30, Coloradans were glued to various news sources, waiting for updates about the Marshall Fire, which spread quickly across the Marshall-Superior-Louisville area of Boulder County. At the same time, five miles west of Niwot, the Middle Fork Fire also spread quickly, but was soon contained.

Emergency response, at first, largely focused on preserving life and evacuating people from homes, stores and more. Actively fighting the fires was difficult early on, especially with high speed winds blowing the flames across the county.

These fires were historic. In addition to the winds, which at times, reached speeds of 105 to 115 mph, the severe drought that has plagued Colorado led to fires that burned at least 6,200 acres of land, and destroyed 991 homes. In a televised statement, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said, "The west side of Superior, Old Town Superior... are totally gone."

Michelle Kelly of Mountain View Fire & Rescue (MVFR) said that there were many aspects of this fire that made combatting it difficult. "The fire impacting suburban communities on a large scale with multiple challenges such as buildings becoming involved with fire has added to the complexity of this fire," she said.

The Front Range has been dry this year, with only 1.68 inches of precipitation since August. Normal precipitation for August to December is closer to 6.5 inches. The lack of precipitation with the high winds and dead grasses allowed the fire to rampage. Last spring's grass growth due to high rainfall amounts, added to the available fuel.

Initially, downed power lines in the vicinity of Marshall Road were suspected to be the cause of the fire. However, after an investigation, Xcel Energy reported that no downed power lines were found. Reportedly, an eyewitness video captured flames and smoke emitting from a small shed near Highway 93 and Marshall Road. Investigators have obtained a warrant for the area, but Sherriff Pelle has not divulged specifics. He also said that the department is still investigating a number of tips but, "[doesn't] have probable cause to understand what caused the fire." So, investigations are still underway to determine if people might have caused the blaze.

Since the fire, at least two people are reportedly missing with many more being displaced. Numerous evacuation centers have opened up to aid those affected; one of those centers is Rocky Mountain Christian Academy (RMCA) in Niwot.

Thanks to agreements with owners of large facilities, the county is able to pre-identify and arrange locations for emergency preparedness. This way, should an emergency arise, such as the fires, sites are able to open quickly and respond to community needs. Kelly said, "The ability to safely park, provide heat, bathroom facilities, and space to hold many people all are a part of the decision and identification of these sites."

Kelly added that local governments, the Salvation Army and American Red Cross are all involved in opening and serving these temporary shelters, which also serve as information distribution points. For those wishing to help in the community emergency response, Kelly recommended that individuals start by creating personal emergency plans and reducing hazards in their own homes.

In terms of assisting larger community efforts, the American Red Cross and Boulder Community Foundation have systems in place to accept financial donations. More information can be found here: https://www.commfound.org/grants/get-grant/Boulder-County-Wildfire-Fund

Having these emergency evacuation centers is key, not only to those who need their resources, but also to the first responders themselves. Having affected residents evacuate creates a safer work environment for first responders.

In rapidly evolving emergencies, such as the Marshall Fire, emergency officials are not always able to provide advance notice to communities. In these cases Reverse 911 calls are often used, but residents should also look toward emergency alert services in their area.

MVFR firefighters, who protect Niwot and the surrounding area, were actively involved with both fire suppression and management of the Marshall Fire. The agency continues to serve both those directly and indirectly impacted by the fire and the subsequent repercussions–certain areas still lack power and water. MVFR was appreciative of the community support and asked the community to continue to stay away from impacted areas until further notice.

Updates and information (including volunteering and donation information) about the Marshall and Middle Fork Fires can be found at: https://www.boulderoem.com/emergency-status/.