VOA News: “President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for (the western U.S. state of) Colorado, where he will travel Friday to survey the damage caused by a massive wildfire that has destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least one person.
“Authorities say 346 homes have been destroyed since Tuesday, when the Waldo Canyon fire suddenly began raging out of control, forcing about 36,000 people in Colorado Springs, the state’s second largest city, to evacuate their homes. The city’s police chief told reporters Thursday that a body had been found in the debris of a burned out home where two people had been reported missing.
“Obama’s declaration makes federal disaster funds available to to assist people affected by the Waldo Canyon fire and another massive wildfire in northern Colorado that destroyed 257 homes and killed one woman earlier this month.”
CNN: Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach said he welcomed the president’s visit. “I really appreciate the president coming here … if nothing more than just to reassure us that this a focus at a national level, that there are people all over this country who are concerned for our citizens and those who have lost their homes. And I do plan to ask for cash.”
via: @denverpost PHOTOS: Before and after views of neighborhoods burned by the #WaldoCanyonFire: http://dpo.st/KG1K7j by @CharlesMinshew
Current stats from Inciweb:
HIGH PARK FIRE: (7:00 PM MT)
| TOTAL PERSONNEL | 1,125 |
|---|---|
| SIZE | 87,284 acres |
| PERCENT CONTAINED | 85% |
| homes lost | 257 |
| COST TO DATE | $36.4 million |
WALDO CANYON FIRE: (9:00 PM MT)
| TOTAL PERSONNEL | 1,118 |
|---|---|
| SIZE | 16,750 acres |
| PERCENT CONTAINED | 15% |
| homes lost | 347 |
| COST TO DATE | $5.2 million |
- Waldo Canyon Fire: Waldo Canyon Fire evacuees crowd hotels, as thousands remain displaced
- Waldo Canyon Fire: Police Chief Pete Carey said late Thursday the remains of one person were found in a home where two people had been reported missing.
OTHER WILDFIRES in Colorado:
Colorado wildfires: Updates on Flagstaff, High Park, Park Ridge and Eby Creek fires – The residents of the 28 homes evacuated west of Boulder due to the Flagstaff fire were allowed to return to their homes Thursday as crews continued to fight the blaze.
How to assist Colorado wildfire victims, HOW TO DONATE AND HELP
