Vast scale of Colorado wildfires becomes clear as residents finally return to survey what's left of their homes

Vast scale of Colorado wildfires becomes clear as residents finally return to survey what's left of their homes



After being forced to evacuate four days ago, the residents near Boulder in Colorado will have the chance today to see whether anything but rubble remains of their homes.

Wildfires have raged in the area and authorities demanded that over 3,500 people were evacuated from about 1,000 houses.

At least 135 of those homes have been destroyed, making the blaze one of the most destructive in Colorado's history.

The sheer scale of the damage caused by the fires can be seen in the images below, where a tennis court is shown surrounded by charred woodland and rubble where houses once stood.

Ruined: An aerial photograph shows the scale of the destruction in Boulder, Colorado

                                             

Evacuation orders are set to be lifted today in four neighborhoods in the foothills west of Boulder, and residents are expected to return to see if their properties are still standing.

News that some people will get to go home four days after the blaze erupted drew applause from the crowd of about 600 at a public meeting last night.

Yesterday firefighters were able to contain about 10 per cent of the blaze that has scorched about 7,100 acres, or roughly 10 square miles. But eight people remain missing.

It was the first time officials reported being able to hold any part of the 20-mile-long fire perimeter.

The reported loss of homes surpasses that of the 2002 Hayman fire in southern Colorado that was hitherto the most destructive in the state's history.

That fire destroyed 133 homes and 466 outbuildings over 138,000 acres in a more sparsely populated area that includes national forest land.

The Boulder fire's toll is likely to rise as firefighters get a clearer picture of the damage. Four people remained unaccounted for, but no deaths or injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

'I understand people are angry, they're anxious, they want to go home,' Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said during the public meeting. 'Please be patient with us.'

The anger that has flared as homeowners have shouted questions at officials during news briefings was absent at Wednesday night's gathering.

People applauded when speakers mentioned the firefighters. Nine volunteer firefighters have lost their homes.

Firefighters took advantage of cooler temperatures and light rain to attack the wildfire Wednesday and air tankers dumped fire retardant on the flames. A total of 100,000 gallons of retardant has been used and firefighting costs are £1.37m so far.

Fire managers said as many as 500 firefighters and support personnel are at the fire and more are on the way.

Laura McConnell, spokeswoman for the management team, said crews are dealing with downed power lines, debris, poison ivy and rattlesnakes.

They also have to be watchful for propane tanks in the area.

Fire officials tackling the wildfire that has taken hold of a rugged canyon in the Colorado foothills say eight people are reported missing.

The 7,100 acre wildfire broke out on Monday morning in a canyon north-west of Boulder. Police said it did not appear to be arson.

Boulder County Sheriff's Commander Rick Brough revealed that several of the missing people did not vacate their property in time.

Protection: A slurry bomber drops retardant to protect buildings from the wildfire, which has cased 3,000 people to be evacuated from the Boulder area

Evacuated: Some of the people who fled the blaze in Boulder watch as a massive plume of smoke rises from the canyon

Out of control: High winds and dry conditions allowed the fire to take hold, and emergency services battled through the night to contain the blaze

Rubble: Frustrated with not being allowed back into his home this man who did not want to give his name, crossed police lines and hiked in, hoping to find his three cats