Inferno!: And the Miracles of the Colorado Marshall Fire

by Tom Gormley

The December 30, 2021, Marshall Fire outside of Boulder will be remembered as the most destructive inferno in Colorado history and one of the top fifteen worst fires in the western U.S. In a little over four hours, the fire, fueled by high velocity Chinook winds, burns 6,026 acres, consumes 1,084 structures, and causes over $2 billion in damage. Over 37,500 residents evacuate. Most flee without receiving any warning, leaving with little more than the shirts on their backs, escaping a fire burning minutes behind. And yet miraculously, only two persons are killed and eight injured during the fire. Though everyone's story is unique, common experiences abound. Scenes during the fire are surreal with one house engulfed in flames while its neighbor sits untouched with Christmas lights twinkling. The fury of the wind decides what burns and what stands untouched.

This is the story of the Inferno, the heroes who fight it, the area history, and the many miracles that happen along the way.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2022

About the author

A native of Ohio, Tom Gormley graduated Ohio State University with a degree in Engineering and Colorado State University with a Master’s in Business. With over forty years business experience in high tech industries, Tom is now writing. An avid history buff, his first book, “A Korean War Odyssey”, tells of locating his wife’s uncle, long lost during the Korean War. His second, “INFERNO!”, is the story of the Colorado Marshall fire and the many miracles that surround it. Tom and his wife live in Colorado in the countryside near the fire. They love to travel in their motorhome with their companion Havanese, Koko. Visit his website at http://www.TomGormley.com.

Reviews

[Phyllis Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inferno! and the Miracles of the Colorado Marshall Fire is an in-depth, fast-paced, true account of a devastating disaster. The Marshall Fire is told in the context of the history and geography of Colorado. The author relates the origins and destruction of the most damaging fire in Colorado's history with breath-taking clarity. Using dispatch tapes from Boulder County law enforcement to ground the action, records going back to 1876 to help the reader grasp the enormity of the disaster, and hourly weather reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide realism, Gorman creates a comprehensive record of the event for posterity.

In addition, this book captures the unique stories of the victims and participants who fought for themselves, their neighbors, and their community. Pictures are an added plus. Well-written and well-edited, this is a remarkable record of a modern day disaster.