Three people missing in Colorado after massive fire

Three people have been announced missing, feared dead, after the massive wildfire in Boulder County, Colorado that destroyed over 900 homes, making it one of the most destructive fires in the state's history. Cadaver dogs will be deployed to their burned-down residences in order to discover any clues. 

No casualties were reported initially after rhe urban wildfire scorched it's way through the state last Thursday. 

"The structures where these [missing] folks would be are completely destroyed and covered with about eight inches of snow," said Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle during a press conference on Saturday. He did not however, identify the victims. 

Pelle said 991 homes in Superior, Louisville and in unincorporated parts of the county have been destroyed, making it the most destructive wildfire in state history in terms of residences lost. Winds In excess of 100 km/h had pushed the blaze to Louisiana, promoting mass evacuation of residents. Over 6000 acres were burnt in the space of just two hours while the blaze was active, officials said. 

President Joe Biden has approved a disaster relief bill that will help those affected, freeing up federal funds for reconstruction and relief efforts. Residents of Boulder have slowly begun trickling back to their devastated homes as officials announced that the fire was no longer active due to snowfall. 

The wildfire is suspected to have been touched off by fallen power lines, in combination with a long season of drought and delayed snow that has left the area primed for fire. However, utility company Xcel Energy found no damaged or downed lines near the fire's believed origin. A police investigation is underway. 

Climate change has also been touted as a factor in the wildfires as fires in the US have grown more frequent and intense due to weather pattern changes caused by the La Nina effect which has left many parts of the country hot and dry.