According to local authorities, the lack of rain and strong winds fueled the fires in that western territory, although the snow could help control the incident, The Colorado Sun newspaper reported.

About 600 homes, a hotel and shopping center were destroyed in Boulder County, forcing thousands of residents to flee for safety, the newspaper reported.

“Unfortunately, there has already been a lot of damage. But the only thing we have going for us is that the winds will generally be softer,” said David Barjenbruch, expert of the Boulder National Weather Service.

Superior Mayor Clint Folsom told CBS4 early Friday that he still doesn’t know if his own home survived last night’s hell and that many people are wondering when they will be allowed to enter the area.

“It’s a too dangerous situation,” he said, adding debris and embers are still floating in the wind.

Authorities estimated that some 370 homes were ravaged in the Sagamore neighborhood in Superior, and another 210 in Old Town Superior.

It is not yet known how many homes were lost in Louisville and the unincorporated areas of Boulder County.

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