A wildfire fanned by winds gusting up to 110 mph burned hundreds of homes, forced thousands to flee and injured at least 6 people. Here is the latest information we have on the Marshall fire.
Last update: Monday, Jan. 3, at 7:35 p.m.
The latest stats on the Marshall fire
- Acreage: 6,219 acres, as of Monday
- Containment: 100% of the perimeter has been contained
- Location: The Marshall fire burned parts of unincorporated Boulder County, Superior and Louisville
Questions? Send us your questions about the Marshall fire and we’ll try to answer them for you.
The cause of the Marshall fire
Officials originally said the fire likely started from downed power lines, however, workers found no downed lines in the ignition area Friday afternoon, according to Boulder Office of Emergency Management.
Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said telecommunications lines were located in that area, but those cables would not have sparked a fire.
Authorities executed a search warrant related to the investigation, but would not provide further details.
On Sunday, Pelle announced that the fire likely started near Marshall Road and Highway 93, and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are now assisting in the investigation.
Missing people
One of three people reported missing and presumed dead after the fire has been found “alive and well,” while cadaver dogs are searching for the two others, Pelle said Sunday. One person remains missing in Superior and one in the Marshall area.
Authorities haven’t released the identities of the missing persons. But 9News has reported, based on information from family, that one of the missing people is 91-year-old Nadine Turnbull, who lived in Superior.
How much damage has the Marshall fire caused?
At least 991 homes and businesses were destroyed and 127 damaged, officials said Saturday afternoon. That number could change. The Boulder Office of Emergency Management has released a list of destroyed or damaged homes that will be periodically updated.
Here’s a breakdown of where the destruction happened:
- 553 were destroyed in Louisville, 45 were damaged
- 332 were destroyed in Superior, 60 were damaged
- 106 homes were destroyed in unincorporated Boulder County, 22 were damage
When did the Marshall fire start?
The fire was reported midday Thursday.
Where to find the evacuation zones and centers?
Much of Louisville and Superior were reopened to residents on Saturday afternoon. Areas still under evacuation orders can be found here.
Here are the evacuation centers:
- COVID-positive evacuees only >> Mount Calvary Lutheran (3485 Stanford Ct, Boulder)
- YMCA of Northern Colorado (2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette)
- North Boulder Rec Center (3170 Broadway, Boulder) – NOW CLOSED
- Rocky Mountain Christian Church (9447 Niwot Road)
- Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont (large animal shelter) – NOW FULL
- Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden (large animal shelter)