Â鶹ӰԺ

Skip to main content

Kate Goldfarb's Marshall Fire Story Project Featured in CU Â鶹ӰԺ Today

Coal Creek map_of_water_sampling

Professor Kate Goldfarb's Marshall Fire Story Project featured in CU Â鶹ӰԺ Today.

On Dec. 30, 2021, a quick-moving, grass-fueled wildfire in suburban Â鶹ӰԺ County became the costliest wildfire in Colorado history. It burned 6,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and damaged thousands of others.

Hundreds of CU Â鶹ӰԺ students, faculty and staff were among the thousands who fled parts of unincorporated Â鶹ӰԺ County and the towns of Louisville and Superior that day—and the fire damaged or destroyed more than 150 homes of CU Â鶹ӰԺ community members.

The Marshall Fire also spurred researchers—many of them personally affected by the fire—to pivot and apply their expertise to the aftermath. One year later, dozens of ongoing research projects continue to explore the science behind what happened that day, the widespread impacts on people,ÌýpetsÌýand the environment and how we can mitigate future catastrophes amid a changing climate.

Here's a glimpse at what they’ve learned so far, and what’s in the works.

Ìý CU Â鶹ӰԺ Today