By Violet Chazkel, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Public Affairs Intern
On December 30, 2021, the roaring Marshall Fire engulfed the Spanish Hills neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado, with flames driven by 100 mph winds. In the midst of the confusion Elizabeth received a phone call from her neighbor, Katherine Hunter, who pleaded with her to evacuate to safety. But instead of leaving to save herself, Elizabeth began doing all she could to protect her community.
Elizabeth drove through smoke, sparks, flames, and debris to alert neighbors, setting animals free, and helping those in areas where firefighters were not present yet. While hopeless survivors were glued to their TV screens, Elizabeth drove around risking her life to check on homes and provide updates to survivors.
Amid the chaos, Elizabeth drove to a particularly vulnerable elderly neighbor’s house. The ninety-year-old-plus woman did not drive, so Elizabeth alerted her what was going on, helped her into the car, and drove her to safety.
When Elizabeth saw that the fire was getting closer to her neighbor Katherine’s house, she fought through smoke, wind and pulsing heat to get a better look at what was going on. Despite Katherine begging Elizabeth to save herself, Elizabeth assisted the firefighters in attempting to put out the fire.
The firefighters left Katherine’s house, and Elizabeth continued helping those in areas where the firefighters were not present. But when Elizabeth returned to Katherine’s house, she saw the flames increasingly near multiple homes and recruited her family members to help. Working swiftly and collectively, they were able to use household fire extinguishers to contain the flames while Elizabeth instructed the fire department to return. Elizabeth’s actions while waiting for the fire department to return enabled firefighters to save more homes.
Elizabeth coordinated a team of family members and neighbors who encountered burning trees, crashing fences, and lethal fumes while putting out fires throughout the night and into the morning. While the majority of neighbors were hiding away and firefighters were no longer present, the small team of heroes extinguished almost two acres of fire. Her actions saved neighbor’s lives, their chickens and horses, along with at least twenty homes.
In the face of danger, Elizabeth’s leadership and care for her community exemplifies the mission of the American Red Cross. Her brave response saved lives, prevented suffering, and exemplifies what it means to be a community hero. .
