It was your typical Thursday before the New Year. Most were still waking up, going to the store, and preparing for their New Years celebrations for the following night. Unfortunately, for residents in Superior, Colorado, their celebrations came to an end quickly.  In the early hours of Dec. 30, 2021, a fire broke out in Superior, Colorado. According to the Denver Post, the cause of the fire is still unknown, but authorities are working to identify the cause. They said it could take weeks or even months to be able to identify the cause of the fire. There was speculation that the fire was caused by downed power lines, but that was proven false as it was only a downed telecommunications line. There has been a video circulating on social media of a shed being on fire in the Twelve Tribes Community. Authorities confirmed an intersection that the Twelve Tribes Community owned was the point of origin. 

Before and during the fire, there were extremely strong winds and gusts from 70 to 100 mph. These strong winds helped to spread the fire very quickly and made it difficult for firefighters to put the blaze out. According to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management, the fire destroyed 1,084 homes and structures and burned 6,026 acres in total, making it the most destructive fire in Colorado history. There are still two people missing from the fire and one has been found dead. 

Ever since the fires devastated communities, donations are being collected to help those impacted. According to KUSA Staff, Community Foundation Boulder County, Boulder Office of Emergency Management, Colorado Responds, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Colorado Police Officers Foundation are all currently taking donations to help those affected. Clothes, food, and household items can be donated as well. The humane society has been helping reunite families with their pets or take in pets while their families figure out living situations.