MARSHALL FIRE - 2021

Photo: Longmont Fire Department

On Dec. 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire ripped across Bounder County grasslands, destroying more than 1,000 structures in Louisville, Superior and unincorporated neighborhoods.

Winds in excess of 105 mph fed the flames and scattered red hot embers far and wide. Little could be done early on despite the determined efforts of firefighters. 

A man died and another person was listed as missing and presumed dead in one of the most costly blazes in Colorado history. It was remarkable more people didn't perish given the speed of the fire. The low death toll speaks volumes about evacuation efforts.

“It’s unbelievable we don’t have a list of 100 missing persons -- but we don’t,” Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.

Longmont Firefighter Patrick Kramer captured images of the disaster, according to 9News, including this photograph. 

“Those winds and that fire would preheat the house next to it and then catch that house on fire and then it would spread to the next house, to the next house, to the next house," Kramer said. "We just tried to get ahead of it and stop what we could."

Investigators said the fire started near a religious compound in Marshall.

Home accounted for most of the property losses. A large hotel also burned as did commercial structures. A hospital in Louisville was spared thanks to the bravery of its staff, but sustained heavy smoke damage. Its patients were safely evacuated.

As the last of the flames were extinguished, Louisville Fire Chief John Willson told 9News: "It's been three days now and I still can't wrap my head around this." 

Photo: White House

President Joe Biden toured the area, consoling victims and thanking firefighters, police and first responders. "There’s an old expression: God made man, and then he made a few firefighters.  And there’s some truth to that," Biden said.