A large fire has broken out in areas outside the city of Denver in the US state of Colorado. The news agency AP is one of several media outlets that write that an estimated 580 houses, a hotel and a shopping center have or will be affected by the fire.
At least six people have been injured, the news agency writes REUTERS. Sheriff Joe Pelle at Boulder Country does not rule out that more injuries and possible deaths may be reported.
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VIOLENT GRASS FIRE: The fire near Denver has spread over an area of 6.5 square kilometers. Hundreds of houses are on fire. Photo: David Zalubowski / AP
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VIOLENT GRASS FIRE: The fire near Denver has spread over an area of 6.5 square kilometers. Hundreds of houses are on fire. Photo: David Zalubowski / AP
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VIOLENT GRASS FIRE: The fire near Denver has spread over an area of 6.5 square kilometers. Several have gathered in hospitals and shelters. Here a person carries supplies to the YMCA. Photo: ALYSON MCCLARAN / Reuters
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VIOLENT GRASS FIRE: The fire near Denver has spread over an area of 6.5 square kilometers. Hundreds of houses are on fire. Photo: David Zalubowski / AP
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VIOLENT GRASS FIRE: The fire near Denver has spread over an area of 6.5 square kilometers. Hundreds of houses are on fire. Photo: David Zalubowski / AP
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VIOLENT GRASS FIRE: The fire near Denver has spread over an area of 6.5 square kilometers. Hundreds of houses are on fire. The picture shows a firefighter doing firefighting work in Louisville. Photo: Marc Piscotty / AFP
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Overturned power lines
According to Sheriff Joe Pelle, the grass fire was triggered by power lines and transformers overturning as a result of strong winds in Colorado’s arid areas.
The wind moves at more than 170 kilometers per hour, which is said to have caused the fire to spread quickly. The fire has spread over 6.5 square kilometers.
Governor Jared Polis says the flames have engulfed areas as large as football fields in seconds.
Difficult extinguishing work
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated so far.
In the city of Louisville, which has a population of about 21,000 people, residents were ordered to evacuate after people staying in the city of Superior in Wisconsin were also asked to get to safety. Neighboring towns are located about 20 miles northwest of Denver.
Sheriff Joe Pelle says the wind makes it almost impossible to control the fire.
According to the news agency REUTERS, the authorities believe that it will be crucial that the wind decreases in the near future so that the fire service can have the opportunity to gain control, as well as send in helicopters with water tanks over the fire.
– FIRE: Buildings and homes are burning down as a result of a major grass fire in the Denver area. The strong wind at the site makes it difficult for the fire brigade to get control of the fire. Photo: Gregg Corella / Reuters
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State of emergency
According to Governor Jared Polis, a state of emergency has now been declared. This allows the use of disaster relief to support emergency response in Boulder Country. Police inform that they will deploy state resources as needed.
– A LOT OF SMOKE: An ambulance is driving along the huge forest fire that has hit several houses and buildings near Denver. There is a lot of smoke in the area, and several cars have had to stop at the roadside due to poor visibility. . Photo: Kevin Mohatt / Reuters
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Very poor visibility has also been reported over several areas. Public transport and other motorists have had to stop the vehicle along the road due to the smoke from the fire that is spreading at high speed.
A difficult time
Governor Jared Polis says what has just happened will affect the lives of many families in Colorado.
– You have very little time to get out of the house, very little time to get your most important things. It will be a difficult process for many of those directly affected to rebuild their lives, he says.
The exact number of houses lost in the fire is not yet known, but photos from the site show that hundreds of homes have been engulfed in flames.
The case is being updated!
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