For those who escaped the flames, heavy snowfall has compounded the misery.
Image:One of the homes destroyed by fire in the wildfires. Pic: AP
US President Joe Biden has declared the scene a national disaster, freeing up federal funds to assist affected people and businesses in recovery efforts.
Three people were initially reported missing but one has been been accounted for, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said on Sunday.
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The cause of the fire is still under investigation but Mr Pelle said authorities were pursuing a number of tips and had executed a search warrant at "one particular location", without providing further details.
After visiting some of the damaged neighbourhoods, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said: "I know this is a hard time in your life if you've lost everything or you don't even know what you lost.
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"A few days ago you were celebrating Christmas at home and hanging your stockings and now home and hearth have been destroyed."
Image:The remains of a van destroyed by wildfires before heavy snow fell. Pic: AP
Winter grassland fires are rare in Colorado, but experts have warned similar events will be more common in the coming years as climate change warms the planet.
Professor Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan, said: "These fires are different from most of the fires we've been seeing across the West, in the sense that they're grass fires and they're occurring in the winter.
"Ultimately, things are going to continue to get worse unless we stop climate change."
The blazes burned through at least 9.4 square miles on Thursday and firefighters eventually brought it under control on New Year's Eve.
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0:35
Homes ablaze as wildfires streak through Colorado
Image:Two people are missing following the wildfires
The fires had been fanned by winds of up to 105mph that helped flames leap to new ground.
Tens of thousands of people were ordered to flee, many escaping through thick smoke as the fires approached.
As the remains of properties were still smouldering on New Year's Day, the snow began to fall.
Image:The cities of Louisville and Superior, north west of Denver, were evacuated
Families have been returning to their neighbourhoods to find burnt-out shells of their homes.
When resident Cathy Glaab returned to her property, she found it had been turned into a pile of charred and twisted debris. It was one of seven houses in a row that were destroyed.
"The mailbox is standing," Ms Glaab said through tears. "So many memories."
Image:Snow covers the smouldering remains of homes in Louisville, Colorado. Pic: AP
Red Cross shelter volunteers have been distributing electric heaters to residents as officials struggle to restore gas and electricity.
A historic drought and heatwaves have made wildfires harder to fight in the area, with 90% of Boulder County in severe or extreme drought having seen no substantial rainfall since mid-summer.
Extreme weather has also been taking hold in other parts of the US, with heavy snowfall disrupting road travel in the Pacific Northwest to California, and intense thunderstorms across the south damaging homes and buildings in Alabama.
Russia’s sabre-rattling in Ukraine has reignited the debate in Finland as to whether the Nordic country should join Nato, defying demands from Moscow that seek to limit expansion of the military alliance in Europe.
Both the president Sauli Niinisto and the prime minister Sanna Marin used their new year addresses to underscore that Finland retained the option of seeking Nato membership at any time.
“Let it be stated once again: Finland’s room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice also include the possibility of military alignment and of applying for Nato membership, should we ourselves so decide,” Niinisto said.
Marin added in her separate speech that every country had the right to decide its own security policy, stressing: “We have shown that we have learnt from the past. We will not let go of our room for manoeuvre.”
Russia’s foreign ministry said last week that Finland and Sweden joining Nato “would have serious military and political consequences that would require an adequate response from the Russian side”.
As Russia amasses about 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s eastern frontier, Washington, Moscow and Nato member states are set to meet for talks in early January. US president Joe Biden is also due to speak to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has previously refused to rule out military action and has warned he has “all kinds” of options if his demands for “security guarantees” to limit Nato expansion are unmet.
Finland and neighbouring Sweden are both militarily non-aligned but have a growing co-operation with Nato as well as strong bilateral relationships with members of the alliance such as the US, Norway and UK.
There is no sense of Finland imminently about to apply for Nato membership, but Russia’s activity on the borders of Ukraine and its list of demands just before Christmas has fired up the internal debate in Helsinki to a level last seen after the Russian annexation of Crimea.
Niinisto also warned the west that it risked empowering Russia if it removed the threat of possible military action. Citing former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger on appeasing Nazi Germany, the Finnish president said: “Whenever avoidance of war has been the primary objective of a group of powers, the international system has been at the mercy of its most ruthless member.”
Petteri Orpo, leader of the main opposition National Coalition party, a longtime supporter of Nato membership, also said that now was the time to discuss whether Finland should apply and that he believed joining would improve both its security and that of the neighbouring region.
“Russia has recently suggested that the possible Nato membership of Finland and Sweden would force it to retaliate militarily. Such a speech is reprehensible and ultimately says more about Russia’s ultimate goals than Finland’s or Sweden’s. Finland does not pose a threat to Russia now or in any other way,” Orpo said on Thursday in a post on his party’s website.
Atte Harjanne, an active reservist and head of the parliamentary group of the Green party, a member of the ruling five-party government coalition, said the arguments for Finland joining had been “strengthened” and that the country should join immediately.
Leading politicians in all three Baltic countries believe that Finnish and Swedish membership of Nato is crucial for improving the security situation on Russia’s western border amid worries not just about Ukraine but also Belarus and its use of migrants to test Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
Finland and Sweden joining Nato “could make entire northern Europe much more stable and safer,” said Marko Mihkelson, head of Estonia’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee.
Finland is one of the few European countries that did not significantly cut its military strength after the cold war as its 1,340km-long border with Russia, and memories of the bitterly fought 1939-40 winter war against the Soviet Union, ensured security matters retained a high priority.
Finland has also retained close diplomatic and commercial ties with Russia, and security experts say that Niinisto is perhaps the European leader most respected by his Russian counterpart Putin, with whom he has regular conversations.
An unidentified person has crossed the demilitarised zone into North Korea.
The person was spotted using surveillance equipment on the eastern portion of the heavily fortified border on Saturday night, but South Korean troops failed to capture them.
The DMZ stretches from coast to coast on the Korean peninsular. It is about 2.5 miles (4km) wide and heavily mined, with barbed wire fences and armed guards patrolling both sides.
Image:North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has warned of a great 'life-or-death struggle' for the country
A military officer who spoke anonymously to Reuters said South Koreahad sent a message to the North on Sunday morning to ensure the safety of the unidentified person.
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The North, which has adopted a shoot-on-sight policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, is not believed to have responded to the message.
There was public uproar in September 2020 when North Korean troops shot dead a South Korean fisheries official who went missing at sea, something which Pyongyang blamed on COVID rules and apologised for.
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It is unclear whether the incident marks a rare case of a South Korean attempting to defect to the North, or if it was a North Korean who was returning.
Image:Excursions across the heavily mined border are tightly controlled by both countries. File pic.
When the Korean War ended in 1953, the two sides only signed a truce, not a peace treaty, meaning they are technically still at war.
Although about 34,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the late 1990s to avoid poverty and political oppression, the majority escape the country through North Korea's border with China.
Defections through the DMZ are very rare. Although agents and spies did cross the DMZ during the height of the Cold War rivalry between the two countries, these incidents have not been reported in recent years.
A fire has broken out at South Africa's parliament in Cape Town.
Flames could be seen and a column of smoke rose into the sky early on Sunday morning, beginning at about 5.30am local time (3.30am in the UK).
The blaze started in third-floor offices and spread to the National Assembly chamber, local fire service spokesman Jermaine Carelse said, adding that no one had been injured.
Image:Smoke rises from the parliament building
The roof area also caught light and authorities feared that parts of buildings, some of them first built in the late 1800s, might collapse because of the heat.
Some 35 firefighters are on the scene tackling the blaze.
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Patricia de Lille, minister of public works, said the flames had been contained in the chamber of the National Council of Provinces - the upper house - but continued to burn in the National Assembly chamber.
"We can't tell you exactly where the fire started," she said, adding that it was a "very sad day for our democracy".
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Police have begun to investigate and President Cyril Ramaphosa has been briefed.
The president and many of South Africa's high-ranking politicians were in Cape Town for the funeral service of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, which took place on Saturday at the city's St George's Cathedral, about a block away from the parliament precinct.
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and tens of thousands of residents evacuated as wildfires spread across part of the US state of Colorado.
At least one first responder and six others were injured after the flames took hold following an extremely dry autumn in the region and a winter that has so far not seen any snow.
More injuries and also deaths could be possible due to the intensity of the fires, Boulder County sheriff Joe Pelle acknowledged.
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0:40
'God help us': Driving through Colorado wildfire
Image:An aerial photograph shows homes burn from wildfires in Superior, Colorado. Pic: Maxar Technologies via AP
He said it was "the kind of fire we can't fight head on" and that in some areas, sheriffs and firefighters had to pull out "because they just got overrun".
The blaze, reported just after 11am on Thursday, local time, had "ballooned and spread rapidly east" to span 2.5 square miles, he added.
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Some fires in the area were also sparked by downed power lines.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of the cities of Louisville and Superior, which are around 20 miles north west of Denver and home to a combined 34,000 people.
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0:28
Aerial footage shows scale of Colorado wildfires
Image:The cities of Louisville and Superior, north west of Denver, were evacuated
Surrounding them are towns filled with shopping centres, parks and schools.
The fires, fuelled by winds of up to 105mph, have already burned an estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping centre.
Cars jammed in queues as they tried to flee the area waited for up to 45 minutes to move about half a mile.
Meanwhile, wind gusts caused the blaze to jump and spread, resulting in small fires taking hold in places such as a patch of grass or a car park.
Skies turned black amid the blare of emergency sirens as smoke spread.
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0:24
Thick smoke and huge fires in Colorado
A large plume of smoke from the fire was visible in Denver.
Leah Angstman, who was on a bus returning home to Louisville from Denver airport that was forced to stop due to poor visibility, described how it was buffeted by heavy winds.
"The wind rocked the bus so hard that I thought the bus would tip," she said.
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1:25
Shoppers rush to leave store as fire approaches
"The sky was dark, dark brown, and the dirt was blowing in swirls across the sidewalk like snakes."
Colorado governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency, which allows the state to access disaster emergency funds.
Image:The blaze has destroyed nearly 600 homes
Mr Polis said flames were consuming football field-lengths of land in seconds, describing the fires as a "force of nature".
A historic drought and heatwaves have made wildfires harder to fight in the western United States.
Nine-tenths of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought and has not seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer.
Keith Musselman, a snow hydrologist who lives in the region, said: "With any snow on the ground, this absolutely would not have happened in the way that it did."
He said a severe fire risk would be expected in September and October but a lack of any rain or snow this late in the season was highly unusual.
A forecast for up to a foot of snow to arrive in the next day could help relieve the situation, he said.
Extreme weather has also been taking hold in other parts of the US, with heavy snowfall disrupting road travel in the Pacific west from Washington state to California and intense thunderstorms across the south damaging homes and buildings in Alabama.
At least 12 people have been killed and 15 injured in a stampede at a popular Hindu shrine in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.
The crush in the early morning at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine came as a thousands gathered to mark the start of the new year.
India's prime minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on Twitter, saying he was "extremely saddened by the loss of lives".
Image:Thousands of devotees were making a pilgrimage to the site. Pic: AP
Initial reports suggested an altercation between a group of devotees had led to the crush.
One eyewitness, who gave the name Mahesh, said: "Something happened near one of the gates and I found myself under a crush of people.
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"I suffocated and fell but somehow managed to stand up.
"I saw people moving over the bodies.
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"It was a horrifying sight, but I managed to help in rescuing some injured people."
Another devotee called Priyansh, who had arrived with ten friends from New Delhi on Friday night, said two of them died in the crush.
Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to JK LG Shri @manojsinha_ Ji, Ministers Shri @DrJitendraSingh Ji, @nityanandraibjp Ji and took stock of the situation.
Police chief Dilbag Singh was quoted by Press Trust of India news agency as saying that authorities were quick to respond and that order within the crowd was immediately restored.
The pilgrimage resumed after nearly four hours, officials said, and an investigation was underway.
The hilltop temple is one of the most visited shrines in northern India.
The incident comes after a stampede in 2013 in central Madhya Pradesh state when pilgrims visiting a temple for a Hindu festival trampled over each other amid fears that a bridge would collapse, and at least 115 people were crushed to death or died in the river below.
In 2011, more than 100 Hindu devotees died in a crush at a religious festival in the southern state of Kerala.
Despite COVID curbs hindering celebrations, street parties and gatherings are still taking place across the globe as each country rings in the New Year.
New Year's Eve plans have largely been muted or cancelled for the second straight year due to a surge in coronavirus infections - this time driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant.
However, many nations are making the best of it and going ahead with extravagant fireworks displays and celebrations.
Here's a snapshot from around the world.
London
Image:Fireworks and a light display have taken place over St Paul's cathedral
Image:A light display to mark the New Year is seen over St Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge
The UK's "spectacular" began with a countdown to midnight on the Shard, before a monologue took place following a scattering of fireworks on the Millennium Bridge.
The speech walked through the UK's achievements this year, including the successes of the Tokyo Olympics and Emma Raducanu's win at the US Open.
Cameras then cut to displays in Greenwich Park, where an impressive drone show took place amid a dazzling display of colourful fireworks.
Fireworks and a light display took place over St Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge to welcome in the New Year.
Australia
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13:37
Australia counts down to 2022
Sydney erupted at the stroke of midnight as Australia celebrated the start of 2022 with six tonnes of fireworks - making for a breath-taking extravaganza over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The event had fewer spectators than usual and most viewing areas were capped by the council and required tickets.
Last year, before mass vaccination, spectators were banned, but this time people were urged to wear masks where they could not properly distance.
New Zealand
Image:New Zealand welcomes in the New Year with a lightshow
In New Zealand, where there hasn't been any community spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, authorities called off several fireworks displays as a precautionary measure, including a popular one from atop Auckland's Sky Tower.
Auckland instead rang in the New Year with a light display projected onto the tower and other city landmarks.
North Korea
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1:30
NYE in Pyongyang and Hong Kong
Hundreds of people have gathered in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to watch a fireworks display to welcome in the New Year.
Footage shows people wearing masks to watch the display near the Taedong River, which cuts through central Pyongyang.
Hong Kong
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4:54
An orchestra played in the vibrant light show and fireworks display at the New Year festivities in Hong Kong
Hong Kong earlier welcomed 2022 with a fireworks bonanza, which was given a dramatic backdrop by a live orchestra.
Around 3,000 revellers attended the New Year's Eve concert starring local celebrities including boy band Mirror.
The concert was the first New Year's Eve event held since 2018, after events were cancelled in 2019 due to political conflict and last year because of the pandemic.
China
Image:Large groups of people gathered to ring in the New Year in Shanghai
In mainland China, the Shanghai government called off events including an annual light show along the Huangpu River in the city centre that usually draws hundreds of thousands of spectators.
But thousands of people gathered in Shanghai to celebrate the New Year, with photographs from near the Bund - a waterfront promenade in the city - show revellers standing together, close to a skyscraper lit up with "2022".
Thailand
Image:Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand
The Southeast Asian country held an impressive fireworks display this evening as it ushered in 2022, with authorities allowing New Year's Eve parties and fireworks displays to continue, albeit with strict safety measures.
But New Year's Eve prayers, which are usually held in Buddhist temples around the country, have been held online instead.
In Bangkok, fireworks exploded over the Chao Phraya River, while further festivities took place in Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Phangan.
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1:11
Taiwan and Thailand ring in 2022
Japan
Image:People in Tokyo, Japan, celebrate the New Year
Revellers in Tokyo were photographed ringing in the New Year this evening, as several countries around the world celebrated 2022 with impressive fireworks displays.
Thousands of people gathered at the Shibuya crossing at midnight, despite the annual countdown celebration having been cancelled due to COVID.
South Korea
Image:Seoul in South Korea is lit up with NYE decorations
In South Korea's capital, Seoul, the annual New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony was cancelled for second year due to rising COVID cases.
A pre-recorded video of this year's bell-ringing ceremony was instead broadcast online and on television, officials said.
The ceremony has been known to attract tens of thousands of people in previous years - and it was cancelled last year for the first time since its first ceremony in 1953.
South Korea is also closing many beaches and other tourist attractions along the east coast, which usually draws crowds of people hoping to catch the year's first sunrise.
India
Image:A balloon seller walks in a deserted shopping area in New Delhi
Muted celebration are underway in India where several states have imposed blanket bans on New Year celebrations.
Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai have banned gatherings.
Celebrations are going ahead with limited numbers in Kolkata, West Bengal, but many clubs have opted to cancel events in the face of the Omicron variant.
United Arab Emirates
Image:A fireworks display took place at the Burj Khalifa skyscraper
People in Dubai are welcoming the New Year with an extravagant fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa skyscraper tonight, while a laser show takes place at the nearby Dubai Fountain.
In Ras al Khaimah, a 12-minute show will feature hundreds of pyrotechnic drones and span almost three miles in length, lighting up the sky over the Arabian Sea.
Russia
Image:Thousands of people have gathered at Manezhnaya Square in Moscow to watch a fireworks display
Russia's 11 time zones will welcome 2022 at different points throughout the night - with the capital Moscow having already ushered in the start of the New Year.
The Red Square in the city, where festivities typically take place, was closed to the general public due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, this did not stop thousands of people from gathering at the nearby Manezhnaya Square to watch a fireworks display.
Greece
Image:A fireworks display has taken placer above Acropolis hill in Athens
Greece introduced new coronavirus restrictions earlier this week, forcing bars, nightclubs and restaurants to close at midnight, with no standing customers and no music.
However, an exception was given for New Year's Eve, when venues were permitted to stay open until 2am.
Images show fireworks exploding in the sky above the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in Athens as the country welcomes in the New Year.
Spain
Image:People have been welcoming in the New Year in Puerta del Sol square
People have gathered in the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid to welcome in the new year.
The celebrations come as coronavirus cases are surging in the country.
Germany
Image:One of the world's largest open-air events has been taking place in Berlin
In Berlin, one of the world's largest open-air New Year events is taking place at the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the start of 2022.
Musicians have been performing on stage in front of the landmark, with a light show also having taken place.
France
Image:People welcomed in the New Year on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris.
In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit up - as it is at the top of every hour - to mark midnight.
People have also been celebrating the New Year on the Champs Elysees avenue in the French capital.
Kenya
The start of 2022 was celebrated almost three hours ago in Nairobi, but festivities are still underway.
As the country marked midnight, fireworks lit up the sky above the UAP Old Mutual Tower.
Image:A fireworks display has lit up the sky above the UAP Old Mutual Tower.
