Thousands are out of their homes and anxiously awaiting word from the front lines of the Fourmile Canyon Fire. Boulder County officials say it could be another day or two before any resident can get into the burn area to asses the damage to their homes.

Helicopters and planes are dropping more slurry and water today from the air.

What wasn’t so clear during several updates from state and county officials was who would have a home to return to when the fire is out.

“It’s our home, if it’s gone it’s gone,” said Jeremy Sebor. “It’s everything.”
Sebor was out of town when the fire began, and arrived in time to join dozens of others listen fretfully to what little information officials could offer about more than 90 destroyed homes.

The question of where to residents should go as the battle goes on has a temporary answer.

“We just grabbed what we could as fast as we could and we jetted out of there,” said Slade Giesen.

Giesen will have to live out of his small backpack at a Red Cross shelter at the Boulder YMCA. More than 20 others registered for temporary shelter at the YMCA Tuesday night.

The basics have been provided, but the larger concern remained on many hearts and minds.

“Most of them are pretty upset since nobody knows anything about their house unless they’ve actually seen their house burning on the news,” Giesen said.

Still, officials ask for patience from the displaced, who counted their blessings.

“We’re okay our dogs are okay,” said Sebor. “Until we know whether we have a house or not we just kind of lay in limbo what we’re waiting for.”

For thousands, it is a wait that feels every bit as long as it is.

The local Office of Emergency Management has a list on their website and are updating it as new information becomes available.