Tens of thousands of Coloradoans flee wildfires: ‘unusual for this time of year’

Wind gusts of more than 160 kilometers per hour make it difficult for the fire service to control the fire. The governor said at a news conference Thursday that the fires are burning quickly and all firefighting planes must be kept on the ground due to the high winds.

About 25,000 people have left their homes in Louisville. Another 26,000 families are without electricity. In the city of Superior, 13,000 people had to leave their homes. The fire destroyed nearly 500 homes in Boulder.

So far there are no fatalities. In Broomfield, up to six people were hospitalized with burns.

Wildfires are more common in this area, but they are “unusual” for that time of year, according to University of California meteorologist Daniel Swain. “Hard to believe, but record temperatures, little snowfall and strong winds are causing these dangerous fires,” he wrote on Twitter. mayor against Washington Post His dissatisfaction with the “perfect storm”.

It is related to several fires that may have started as a result of falling electricity poles. Mountain landscapes intensify storms. The wind is gaining strength as it blows over the slopes, which also fuels the fire. In addition, the winter was very dry. Heavy snow storms are expected in Colorado in the coming days.