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Colorado wildfires destroy hundreds of homes

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Flames engulf homes as the Marshall Fire spreads through a neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado on December 30, 2021. Jason Connolly / AFP

Fast-moving wildfires in the US state of Colorado destroyed hundreds of homes and forced at least 33,000 people to flee, officials have said, as flames tore through areas desiccated by a historic drought. 

At least 1,600 acres (650 hectares) have burned in Boulder County, much of it suburban, with officials warning that deaths and injuries were likely as the blaze took hold of a hotel, shopping center and apartment complex in the town of Superior.

“We know that approximately 370 homes in the Sagamore subdivision… have been lost. There’s a potential of 210 homes lost in Old Town Superior,” Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle told a news conference on Thursday.

“Due to the magnitude and intensity of this fire, and its presence in such a heavily populated area, we would not be surprised if there are injuries or fatalities.”

Colorado media outlets reported that at least six patients were hospitalized with injuries.

About 33,000 people in the towns of Louisville and Superior were told to flee, with the National Weather Service (NWS) describing the situation as “life-threatening.”

Patrick Kilbride, 72, was at work in a hardware store when he heard the order to evacuate, The Denver Post reported.

He raced home to gather his possessions but was unable to save anything other than his car and the clothes he was wearing.

His dog and cat both perished.

“It’s ashes,” he said of the home he has lived in for three decades.

“It’s just a strange feeling to go from having everything to make your life comfortable to having nothing,” he said.

The fast-moving fires are thought to have begun when power lines were toppled by gusting winds.

Winds of over 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour were reported in some places, fanning flames and preventing aircraft from taking off.

Patti Holtz described the terror of evacuating her Boulder County home.

“The ditches and things and the trees, they’re all up in flames,” she said.

“There’s embers everywhere. So it makes me very frightened of course, with the wind, that it’s going to continue to spread to other homes.

“It was so dark, of course, that you just can’t see anything. It’s like the black of night.”

Changing weather conditions may provide some relief: NWS cancelled high wind warnings in affected areas late on Thursday and forecast heavy snow across Colorado over the next two days.

‘Devastating’ 

Flames engulf homes as the Marshall Fire spreads through a neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado on December 30, 2021. Jason Connolly / AFP

 

Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency Thursday over what he said were devastating fires.

Unlike previous blazes in the state, he said, this one is not in the countryside.

“This area is right in and around suburban sub-developments, stores,” he said.

“It’s like the neighborhood that you live in. It’s like the neighborhood that any of us live in.”

Like much of the American West, Colorado is in the grip of a years-long drought that has left the area parched and vulnerable to wildfire.

“One of the many factors that lead to the devastating wildfire today is the recent record dryness,” the NWS office in Boulder tweeted.

Although fires are a natural part of the climate cycle, and help to clear dead brush and reduce disease in vegetation, their scale and intensity is increasing.

Scientists say a warming climate, chiefly caused by human activities like the unchecked burning of fossil fuels, is altering weather patterns.

This prolongs droughts in some areas and provokes unseasonably large storms in other places — phenomena that are expected to get worse as worldwide average temperatures continue to climb.

Daniel Swain, a meteorologist at the University of California, tweeted that it was “hard to believe” these fires were taking hold in December, usually a quieter time for blazes.

“But take a record warm & dry fall, only 1 inch of snow so far this season, & add an extreme (100mph+) downslope windstorm…and extremely fast moving/dangerous fires are the result,” he said.

Congressman Joe Neguse, who represents Colorado’s 2nd District, called the wildfires “unprecedented.”

“(The wildfires) have just created a level of devastation and destruction that our state has not experienced before,” he told CNN.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency approved funding for Colorado’s firefighting teams on Thursday.

“The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs,” the agency’s statement said.

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‎LAF Foundation Founder, Adisa Marks Birthday with Food Outreach in Oyo

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‎Founder of the LAF Foundation, Dr. Olalekan Adisa, has  celebrated his birthday by distributing food items to residents across Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, reaffirming his commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society.

The outreach, which attracted beneficiaries from different communities within the council area, was organised to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship confronting many households. Residents, including the elderly, widows, and low-income earners, received bags of rice and other food items from the foundation.

‎According to Adisa, his birthday was an opportunity to appreciate God by extending love and kindness to people in need rather than holding elaborate celebrations.

He said: “Every birthday reminds me that life is meaningful only when it positively impacts others. Today is not just about celebrating another year; it is about sharing God’s blessings with those around us. If we all make helping others a habit, our communities will become stronger and more united.”

The scholar noted that the LAF Foundation would continue to champion humanitarian interventions aimed at improving the welfare of the less privileged through education support, health initiatives, youth empowerment and community development programmes.

‎In his words, “The economic realities demand that those who have the capacity should lend a helping hand. This gesture may seem small, but for many families, it will make a significant difference. Our commitment to humanity remains unwavering.”

‎Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the foundation for the timely intervention, describing the gesture as a source of relief. They commended Adisa for consistently identifying with ordinary people and prayed for greater strength and resources for him to sustain the initiative.

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‎Oseni hails Dotun Sanusi’s elevation as Gbonka Olubadan, says honour well deserved

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‎The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general election and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated foremost businessman and philanthropist, Chief Dotun Sanusi, on his elevation to the prestigious chieftaincy title of Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland, describing the honour as a fitting reward for a life devoted to service, compassion and the development of humanity.

‎Oseni, in a statement issued on Friday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, said the elevation was a well-deserved recognition of Chief Sanusi’s outstanding contributions to the socio-economic growth of Ibadanland and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of countless people through philanthropy, enterprise and community development.

‎The federal lawmaker noted that Chief Sanusi has, over the years, distinguished himself as an exceptional son of Ibadan whose investments, humanitarian interventions and unwavering support for the less privileged have continued to leave lasting footprints across Oyo State and beyond.

‎He said the latest elevation in the revered Olubadan traditional succession line was not merely a recognition of status, but a celebration of character, integrity and purposeful leadership, adding that Chief Sanusi has consistently demonstrated that genuine greatness is measured by the number of lives positively impacted.

‎According to the chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the respected industrialist has earned the admiration of many through his humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to the progress of his people, stressing that his contributions to education, healthcare, youth empowerment and economic development have continued to strengthen communities and inspire hope.

“On behalf of my family and the good people of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, I heartily congratulate my distinguished  brother and friend, Chief Dotun Sanusi, on his well-deserved elevation as the Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland. This honour is not only a recognition of your place in the revered Olubadan traditional institution, but also a celebration of your remarkable life of service, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to humanity,” Oseni said.

‎He added: “You have consistently shown that true leadership is about touching lives, creating opportunities and giving hope to others. Your philanthropy has restored dignity to many families, empowered young people, supported education and strengthened communities. It is gratifying to see these noble contributions being recognised through this prestigious elevation. I am confident that you will continue to serve Ibadanland with the same humility, wisdom and sense of responsibility that have always defined your public life.”

‎Oseni also commended the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Olubadan-in-Council for preserving the time-honoured succession tradition, describing the institution as one of the enduring symbols of stability, unity and cultural heritage in Yorubaland.

‎He expressed confidence that Chief Sanusi’s elevation would further strengthen the traditional institution while inspiring a new generation of leaders to embrace selfless service, integrity and genuine commitment to community development.

The APC senatorial candidate prayed for God’s continued guidance, sound health and greater wisdom for the new Gbonka Olubadan as he ascends to higher responsibilities, expressing optimism that his new status would open another remarkable chapter of impactful service to Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.

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Oriire Rescue: SWEGOP Seeks Stronger Security in Border Communities

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The South West Guild of Online Publishers has urged the Federal and Oyo State governments to strengthen security in border communities following the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The guild said the successful rescue of the victims, who regained their freedom on Friday after spending months in captivity, should mark a turning point in efforts to secure vulnerable communities and prevent similar attacks.

In a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by its Chairman, Bisi Oladele, and Public Relations Officer, Remi Oladoye, SWEGOP commended President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the security agencies for what it described as their commitment and coordinated efforts that led to the victims’ rescue.

The guild described the operation as proof that strong political will, intelligence-driven operations and effective collaboration among security agencies can deliver positive results in the fight against insecurity.

It also praised the gallantry, resilience and professionalism of the military and other security personnel involved in the operation, noting that their sacrifices had restored hope to the rescued victims, their families and residents of Oyo State.

While celebrating the successful rescue, SWEGOP sympathised with the families of security personnel and civilians who lost their lives during the ordeal, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased.

The publishers observed that recent abductions across parts of the country revealed a disturbing pattern of attacks on border communities, where inadequate security presence, poor road networks, weak telecommunications infrastructure and easy escape routes into neighbouring countries have continued to expose residents to criminal activities.

It, therefore, called on governments at all levels to sustain the level of cooperation demonstrated during the rescue operation by strengthening collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other critical stakeholders to improve the safety of residents.

The guild further urged both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to deepen investments in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, rapid response mechanisms and community policing to guarantee the safety of schools and ensure that children can learn without fear.

SWEGOP reaffirmed its commitment to responsible journalism and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting peace, public safety and the protection of lives and property across the South-West and the country.

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