The fast-moving fire was ‘upon people in a matter of minutes,’ a reporter says. Officials say approximately 35,000 people were evacuated.

Boulder County, Colorado, Sheriff Joe Pelle said he expects about 500 or more homes were destroyed in the fast-spreading wildfires that started Thursday.

There are 2,000 homes in the burn area, he said during a news conference, and entire subdivisions have been devastated by fire.

“We’re fully expecting this to be 500 or more homes that were lost,” Pelle said.

Damage assessment is continuing today, he said.

Snow falling today will help conditions, he said, as 3-6 inches in total are expected.