Marshall Fire ,one year has passed since the largest wildfire in the history of Colorado. In the afternoon of December. 30 2021, a grazing fire started the blaze in Boulder County that is still being investigated. In the wake of strong winds from hurricanes, the fire grew into a grass fire an extremely dangerous wildfire within just a couple of hours. The sudden evacuations caused by it was the cause of Marshall Fire killed two people and destroyed over 1,000 houses and businesses within Louisville, Superior and unincorporated Boulder County.
“As we reflect back on the year that has passed since the devastating Marshall Fire, we remember an awful day of loss and destruction to our communities. It’s been a long and difficult recoveryprocess, and there’s still much to do however, every day I pray that we are getting closer to regaining the things that were destroyed,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in a statement issued this week.
After the weeks and months after the fire, families of the victims searched for help, support and an opportunity to move forward. City councilors, from Colorado legislators to the president Joe Biden visited Boulder County in the last year, offering assistance as well as promises of learning from the devastating lesson learned from nature.
In the last year in the past year, the Colorado legislature has passed a number of bills that expanded the natural disaster mitigation and preparedness. Recently, CU Boulder research also found more than 1,000 animals died from the Marshall Fire, most trapped in their home. This research reinforces the reminder to everyone Coloradans to put plans for disasters in place since climate change is putting the state at threat of additional wildfires.
As we reflect on one year on from the tragic event We’re sharing the voices of people affected from the fire.
The home of the past in Superior that was destroyed by fire to the ground
The house on 101 Coal Creek Drive had a time that was nearly longer than Superior itself. It was built at the same time as the Titanic was being constructed, and stood proud and tall for the following 111 years.
Unfortunately, the home and the physical evidence of its past were destroyed through the Marshall Fire. Robin the home’s property manager who was the property manager, showed Rocky Mountain PBS the remnants of the home , and also spoke of the grief she felt when she realized that it was gone.
Pet saved from fire, even though many lost
Tracy Granucci and her husband Jason were just arriving at Cabo San Lucas for the holidays with their families on the night of Dec. 30 2021. In the home they resided in Superior They had arranged for a cat sitter visit every day to care for their cat of 16 years, Peanut. Then, the Marshall Fire sparked, prompting evacuations and blockages on roads which prevented family members or the cat sitter access to their home or Peanut.
Helping others heal through healing
Lance Ferguson knows the impact of a fire well. In the year 2020, he and his family perished including their pet to fire.
Despite being located at the Western Slope, once Ferguson learned of the Marshall Fire he leapt into action to alleviate the suffering of others — an action which he described as helping him heal from the trauma of his own.
The impacts of climate change
Apart from the strong wind and dry temperatures, which is the cause of that the Marshall Fire to be so devastating? Why did it happen outside of the typical “wildfire season”?
Director of the Fire Expert Director of Earth Lab Jennifer Balch explained the factors that are often ignored and contributed to the burning including population growth and climate changes.
A fresh start abroad
For some families, the devastating images of the Marshall Fire were too much for them to remain. For instance, the Payne group decided to construct the house, but not one they could consider their home.
Instead, they’ll let the house to tenants and then start afresh in a different country.
