Inferno! by Tom Gormley
INFERNO! reveals the true story of the December 2021 Boulder County Marshall fire and the many events that can only be described as miracles that occur during and after. Interviews, local history and pictures convey the turmoil, tragedy and drama of this nightmare. These stories are intertwined with the police and fire dispatch broadcasts and public announcements to provide a timeline of the fire and its aftermath. With it, readers get a better understanding of how first responders attacked the fire, how the communities reacted, and how they are recovering. It also provides an overview of government responses and offers informational guidance on how to prepare for an emergency nearby.
The December 30, 2021, Marshall Fire outside of Boulder will be remembered as the most destructive inferno in Colorado history and one of the top fifteen worst fires in the western U.S. In a little over four hours, the fire, fueled by high velocity Chinook winds, burns 6,026 acres, consumes 1,084 structures, and causes over $2 billion in damage. Over 37,500 residents evacuate. And yet miraculously, only two persons are killed and eight injured during the fire. Scenes during the fire are surreal with one house engulfed in flames while its neighbor sits quietly next-door displaying Christmas lights. The fury of the wind decides what burns and what stands untouched.
This is the story of the inferno, the heroes who fight it, the area history, the fire recovery, and the many miracles that happen along the way.
