{"id":42932,"date":"2022-01-03T04:17:35","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T11:17:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/2-missing-survivors-count-blessings-after-colorado-fire\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:10:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:10:31","slug":"2-missing-survivors-count-blessings-after-colorado-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/2-missing-survivors-count-blessings-after-colorado-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"2 missing; survivors count blessings after Colorado fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A
A burned truck in a destroyed neighborhood in Louisville, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Search teams looked for two missing people on Sunday in the snow-covered but still smoldering debris from a massive Colorado wildfire, while people who barely escaped the flames sorted through what was left after the blaze and investigators tried to determine its cause. (AP Photo\/Thomas Peipert)<\/span>Thomas Peipert<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (AP) \u2014 Search teams looked for two missing people on Sunday in the snow-covered but still smoldering debris from a massive Colorado wildfire, while people who barely escaped the flames sorted through what was left after the blaze and investigators tried to determine its cause.<\/p>\n

The flames ripped through at least 9.4 square miles (24 square kilometers) and left nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings destroyed in suburbs between Denver and Boulder. It came unusually late in the year following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow. Experts say those conditions, along with high winds, helped the fire spread.<\/p>\n

Rex and Barba Hickman sifted through the ashes of their Louisville home with their son and his wife.<\/p>\n

Their son Austin cut a safe open with a grinding tool to reveal gold and silver coins, melted credit cards, keys and the charred remains of the couple\u2019s passports.<\/p>\n

They evacuated with their dog, their iPads and the clothes on their back. Rex Hickman said he was heartbroken to see there was nothing left of their home of 23 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a numbness that hits you first. You know, kind of like you go into crisis mode. You think about what you can do, what you can\u2019t do,\u201d he said. \u201cThe real pain is going to sink in over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The couple have to find a rental property and clothes in the short-term, and their insurance company told them Sunday it would take at least two years to rebuild their home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know how fortunate we are,\u201d Rex Hickman said. \u201cWe have each other. We have great friends, wonderful family. So many people have got to be suffering much more than we are, and we feel for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

While homes that burned to the foundations were still smoldering in some places, the blaze was no longer considered an immediate threat \u2014 especially with Saturday\u2019s snow and frigid temperatures.<\/p>\n

Authorities initially said everyone was accounted for after the fire. But Boulder County spokesperson Jennifer Churchill said the reports of three people missing were later discovered amid the scramble to manage the emergency. One was found alive, officials said Sunday.<\/p>\n

Crews were still looking for a woman at a home in Superior and a man living near Marshall. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said their homes were \u201cdeep in hot debris and covered with snow. It is a difficult task.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other investigators were seeing if the missing people might have made it out, but not contacted their families or friends, Pelle said.<\/p>\n

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and federal emergency officials visited some of the damaged neighborhoods Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know this is a hard time in your life if you\u2019ve lost everything or you don\u2019t even know what you lost,\u201d Polis said after the tour. \u201cA few days ago you were celebrating Christmas at home and hanging your stockings and now home and hearth have been destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out.<\/p>\n

Pelle said Saturday authorities were pursuing a number of tips and had executed a search warrant at \u201cone particular location.\u201d The sheriff refused to give details again Sunday, including whether he thought the fire was set.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s complicated and it\u2019s all covered with a foot of snow,\u201d Pelle said of the scene where the fire started. \u201cThe outcome of that investigation is vital \u2014 there is so much at stake. We are going to be professional. We are going to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of at least 991 buildings destroyed by the fire, most were homes. But the blaze also burned through eight businesses at a shopping center in Louisville, including a nail salon and a Subway restaurant. In neighboring Superior, 12 businesses were damaged, including a Target, Chuck E. Cheese, Tesla dealership, a hotel and the town hall.<\/p>\n

The two towns are about 20 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000.<\/p>\n

The flames stopped about 100 yards (90 meters) from Susan Hill\u2019s property in Louisville. She slept Saturday night in her home using a space heater and hot water bottles to stay warm since her natural gas service had not been turned back on.<\/p>\n

She choked up as she remembered seeing the sky change color and recalled nervously sprinting out of town with her college-age son and the dog, cat and a fire box with birth certificates and other documents.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even know how to describe it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s so sad. It\u2019s so awful. It\u2019s just devastating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Utility crews expected to restore electricity to the homes still standing Sunday, but warned gas service might take longer to get back.<\/p>\n

People lined up to get donated space heaters, bottled water and blankets at Red Cross shelters. Xcel Energy urged other residents to use fireplaces and wood stoves to stay warm and keep their pipes at home from freezing.<\/p>\n

Superior resident Jeff Markley arrived in his truck to pick up a heater. He said he felt lucky to be \u201cjust displaced\u201d since his home is intact.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re making do, staying with friends, and upbeat for the new year. Gotta be better than this last one,\u201d Markley said.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

This story has been updated to correct the wording in the quote from Gov. Polis.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP\u2019s environmental coverage, visit https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/environment<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Boulder
Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle talks during a news conference updating the Colorado wildfire damage after touring the impacted area Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow
Snow covers the burned remains of a car after wildfires ravaged the area Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow
Snow covers the burned remains of a car after wildfires ravaged the area Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow
Snow covers the burned remains of a shopping center after wildfires ravaged the area Sunday, Jan.2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Colorado
Colorado National Guard members secure locations burned by wildfire Sunday, Jan.2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rep.
Rep. Jason Crow stops to photograph a home during a tour of the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (Matthew Jonas \/The Denver Post via AP)<\/span>Matthew Jonas<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The Payanna family brings valuables back to their home in Superior, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, which was spared by the Marshall wildfire. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Surrounded
Surrounded by local and state officials, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis talks during a news conference updating the Colorado wildfire damage after touring the impacted area Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow
Snow covers the burned remains of a car after wildfires ravaged the area Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
A man holds the flag and a sign reading \"BOCO STRONG! We will rise again!!!\" during a tour of the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (Matthew Jonas \/The Denver Post via AP)
A man holds the flag and a sign reading \"BOCO STRONG! We will rise again!!!\" during a tour of the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (Matthew Jonas \/The Denver Post via AP)<\/span>Matthew Jonas<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow
Snow covers the burned remains of a Tesla dealership after wildfires ravaged the area Sunday, Jan.2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Colorado
Colorado National Guard members secure locations burned by wildfire Sunday, Jan.2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A resident brings belongings back to her home that was spared by the Marshall wildfire, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A burned car is abandoned on a hilltop overlooking Superior, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo\/Thomas Peipert)<\/span>Thomas Peipert<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A police officer talks to residents trying to get back to their home after the Marshall Fire damaged property in the area, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rex
Rex Hickman, foreground, sifts through the rubble of his burned home with the help of his son Austin Hickman, in Louisville, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. The elder Hickman, who had lived in the home with his wife for 23 years, found his safe, but little could be salvaged other than a few gold and silver coins. (AP Photo\/Thomas Peipert)<\/span>Thomas Peipert<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow
Snow covers the burned remains of a shopping center after wildfires ravaged the area Sunday, Jan.2, 2022, in Superior, Colo. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rex
Rex Hickman sifts through the rubble of his burned home in Louisville, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Hickman, who had lived in the home with his wife for 23 years, found his safe, but little could be salvaged other than a few gold and silver coins. (AP Photo\/Thomas Peipert)<\/span>Thomas Peipert<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A family brings a heaters back to their home in Superior, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, which was spared by the Marshall wildfire. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Marie
Marie Payanna brings photo albums back to her home in Superior, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, which was spared by the Marshall wildfire. (AP Photo\/Jack Dempsey)<\/span>Jack Dempsey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Federal
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, right, talks with officials during a tour of the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. (Matthew Jonas \/The Denver Post via AP)<\/span>Matthew Jonas<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings destroyed in suburbs between Denver and Boulder<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42933,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[28],"naviga_topic":[],"class_list":["post-42932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-headlines"],"acf":[],"author_name":"Website Administrator","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42932"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85508,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42932\/revisions\/85508"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42932"},{"taxonomy":"naviga_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/naviga_topic?post=42932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}