"Most fled without any warning, leaving with little more than the shirts on their backs, escaping a fire burning minutes behind them."
On December 30, 2021, a fire that had begun in a field near Boulder, Colorado, was whipped into a frenzy by strong Chinook winds. The flames quickly became the most destructive fire in the state’s history, covering over 6,000 acres. Personnel from every fire department in the area fought the blaze that came to be known as the Marshall fire. It claimed two lives, injured eight, destroyed 1,085 structures, damaged nearly 150 more, and forced the evacuation of 37,500 residents. They fled their homes with little notice due to the fire’s rapid growth, described as unprecedented by those who worked to extinguish it. This book chronicles the origins of the Marshall fire, how and why it was able to grow so large in only four hours, and the toll it took on communities, residents, firefighters, and law enforcement.
The comprehensive level of research done by the author is evident on every page. Fire and law enforcement dispatch recordings were reviewed, and fire chiefs, firefighters, residents, and town officials were interviewed about their personal experiences. The author has helpfully included color photos and maps throughout, as well as the history of the affected areas for context. Each chapter begins with the area’s weather forecast for the day to illustrate the extreme winds that fanned the flames. However, this isn’t only the story of a monster fire’s destruction and the pain it caused. It is also the poignant story of how communities and residents have dealt with the aftermath as well as the beginning of the rebuilding process. After taking readers through the rollercoaster ride of battling and fleeing the fire, the book concludes by providing a glimpse of the hope for the future held by those affected.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review Reviewed by Glenda Vosbourgh
The Dec. 30 Marshall fire was a devastating event with fires destroying over 1,000 structures. The day will live in infamy for Coloradans and now has pieces preserved in a book by a local author.
The Dec. 30 Marshall fire was a devastating event with fires destroying over 1,000 structures. The day will live in infamy for Coloradans and now has pieces preserved in a book by a local author.
Surviving the Marshall fire, local author Tom Gormley decided to document the disaster in his latest page turner “INFERNO!.” The book provides perspectives from first responders and residents who were displaced by the historic blaze.
“I’m one of those guys who can research a lot of history and find out what happened, why it happened and how it ties in,” Gormley said.
Previously residing in Louisville, Gormley watched the blaze tear through homes from his current residence in Erie.
“Right now we live over west of Erie and unincorporated Boulder County, so we had a good view of the fire,” he recounted.
Despite the scant distance, Gormley witnessed numerous friends being impacted by the fire and even had to spring into action to rescue his 91-year-old mother, Helen Gormley, who was living at the Villa at Balfour on the east and of Louisville.
In the aftermath of the disaster, which devastated both Louisville and Superior with over 6,000 acres of land scorched, Gormley set about collecting first-person accounts from responders and survivors.
“It provides a perspective of what happened in the fire so that everybody can appreciate what the firefighters, police and residents went through,” he said.
Among the interview subjects Gormley pegged for the volume were Louisville Fire Chief John Wilson and Boulder County Sheriff Commander Randy Wilber who lead their respective agencies' responses.
“There are also interviews with other folks that were impacted directly,” he said. “It’s surprising how many people had minor miracles that happened for them.”
These include families whose homes went up in flames but were able to rebuild and renters in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision who lost all their worldly possessions.
“There was a family from Czechoslovakia that lived in the area for 30 years,” he said. “They had a collection of rings from Czechoslovakia and that was the only thing that survived.”
Luckily, the loss of life was minimal despite the record number of homes destroyed, Gormley noted.
“Within three or four hours and all those people evacuating only two people died,” he said.
Further, Gormley noted only eight injuries occurred among the more than 37,000 residents that fled for safety.
The volume also includes 75 photos taken by first responders and witnesses that provide visuals of the disaster, evacuation efforts and the resulting aftermath.
Gormley also offers some forward looking information to prepare for the next wildfire that impacts the Front Range.
“I do have cross references back with FEMA and other organizations of how you can prepare for disasters, such as fires, tornadoes or even just a power outage,” he said.
The 250-page release is now available to order online, as well as through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other book retailers.
Greg Ellison - Broomfield Leader
