Black Forest fire started by humans, but how or by who still unknown, new report says
The trail leading to the cause of the Black Forest fire has officially gone cold. After more than a year of investigation, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that how the state’s most destructive fire started remains a mystery.
“We don’t have any further leads,” Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Greg White said. “Until we get additional information, then it is technically considered a cold case.”
The Black Forest fire ignited June 11, 2013, and went on to consume nearly 500 homes and burn 14,280 acres in a matter of days. The fire claimed two lives – those of Marc and Robin Herklotz – and it became the second county wildfire-turned-homicide investigation involving federal, state and local detectives.
The Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fire investigations are perhaps the highest-profile cold cases in El Paso County, each with a common thread of mystery. No agency has been able to pin down the exact cause of either fire, although both are believed to have been human-caused.
The Waldo Canyon fire erupted almost a year before Black Forest on June 23, 2012, and incinerated 347 homes and also killed two people.
The summer of 2012 saw dozens of arson-caused fires in El Paso and Teller counties – authorities scrambled to extinguish more than 20 human-caused fires in Teller in a matter of weeks. The culprit connected to those blazes was never captured or identified.
As with all homicide investigations, more information about either fire’s cause will not be released before the cases are solved, White said. A statute of limitations, which requires that information about a case be released after a certain time period, does not apply to homicides, White added.
The one indisputable fact about the Black Forest fire is that it was human-caused. Still, investigators appear baffled because the origin of the fire is not readily accessible from a roadway, which would have allowed an easy escape.
Investigators found “metallic particles” near the origin and said they “could have been the source of ignition.” But the study of the particles was not conclusive.
The Sheriff’s Office confiscated all equipment with a combustible engine from at least one neighboring property in June. That property owner, Cynthia Balch, got her equipment back Oct. 30, White said.
Investigators did conclude that the origin of the fire was in a “wooded draw with no man-made structures or utilities in the immediate vicinity, ruling out power lines, railroad activity, a gas leak or any other typical source with a fixed location.”
There were no lightning strikes in the vicinity – the closest was 3 miles away. There also was no mulch or hay, and all natural causes were ruled out.
Temperatures were a searing 95 degrees the day the Black Forest fire ignited in the area of Shoup Road and Colorado 83. It drew fire crews from all over the state and cost $9.2 million to fight. The investigation into the fire started within 24 hours, with officers looking into a possible criminal element.
Investigators studied fire indicators and behavior. They interviewed responders and other witnesses and conducted a forensic examination of any related physical evidence. The team was formed with experts in wildland fire investigations and included members from the Forest Service, Aurora Fire Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The team looked at burn patterns, “freezing” of vegetation in windblown positions and other fire artifacts that are used to backtrack the progression of the fire to the area where it originated. About 233 indicators were identified and cataloged.
They looked at photos and videos that helped define the boundaries of the fire. Investigators received numerous tips from the public and followed up on 244 leads.
“Unfortunately none provided definitive evidence of how the fire started or who was responsible,” the report says.
Jeremy Beach wipes away a tear as he sees his home off Ravine Drive West for the first time since the Black forest fire started last Tuesday. Beach’s home was in the section of the forest most devastated in the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
Charred trees, some felled and some still standing, are plentiful along Black Forest Rd. in Black Forest on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. The trees were burned in last year’s Black Forest Fire. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)
Charred branches from last year’s Black Forest Fire frame the construction of a new home in Black Forest on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)
Charred branches from last year’s Black Forest Fire frame the construction of a new home in Black Forest on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)
Charred trees, some felled and some still standing, are plentiful along Black Forest Rd. in Black Forest on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. The trees were burned in last year’s Black Forest Fire. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)
Tech. Sht John Sepulveda and Airman Adam Mardick of the 302nd Airlift Wing remove the missile warning system from a C-130 at Peterson AFB Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in preparation for fighting the Black Forest fire. Crews remove all unnecessary weight from the aircraft before loading the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS). Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
302nd Airlift Wing crew members load the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) onto a C-130 at Peterson AFB Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in preparation for fighting the Black Forest fire. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
302nd Airlift Wing crew members load the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) onto a C-130 at Peterson AFB Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in preparation for fighting the Black Forest fire. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Dan Wright donates non-perishable Food items at Care and Share Tuesday, June 11, 2013, for victims of the Black Forest fire. Care and share is accepting donations of non-perishable food items and cash at their Colorado Springs location, 2605 Preamble Point. . Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
The Black Forest Fire burns late into the night Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa updates the press and Black Forest residents from the Pikes Peak Communty College Rampart campus with the scar from last summer’s Waldo Canyon Fire in the background Wednesday, June 12, 2013, during the second day of the Black Forest Fire. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Black Forest residents look at the fire map after a press conference at Pikes Peak Communty College’s Rampart campus Wednesday, June 12, 2013, during the second day of the Black Forest Fire. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A pronghorn runs across a field Wednesday, June 12, 2013, while a helicopter from Fort Carson helps fight the Black Forest Fire. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Terry Stokka hugs Jaenette Coyne before a press conference Wednesday, June 12, 2013, during the second day of the Black Forest Fire. Coyne and her husband, Kristian Coyne, right, lost their home Tuesday. Pictured on the left, is Terry’s wife Artha. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A Chinook helicopter from Fort Carson flies Wednesday, June 12, 2013, over the Black Forest Fire while fighting the second-day fire. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fire consumes a structure next to a home on Greentree Road in Black Forest Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Tom Smith removes tree limbs as he fights to protect the home of a friend from advancing flames near Burgess Road and Armonia Ranch Ct in Black Forest Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Yesterday during the Black Forest Fire, a firefighter rescued a week-old fawn from the fire. The fawn was taken to the Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center late on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The fawn wouldn’t eat or stand last nightt. They are calling the fawn “Bambi”, but have a goal of returning him to the wild someday Jamie Harrison was able to get the fawn to take a bottle today after research was done to see what kind of formula to use. There are 80-100 homes that are estimated to have burned in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Yesterday during the Black Forest Fire, a firefighter rescued a week-old fawn from the fire. The fawn was taken to the Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center late on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The fawn wouldn’t eat or stand last nightt. They are calling the fawn “Bambi”, but have a goal of returning him to the wild someday Jamie Harrison was able to get the fawn to take a bottle today after research was done to see what kind of formula to use. There are 80-100 homes that are estimated to have burned in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Airmen with the 302nd Airlift Wing prepare a C-130 plane for installation of the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) in preparation for fighting the Black Forest fire Wednesday morning, June 12, 2013. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Care and Share volunteer Toni West wears a mask to protect her from heavy smoke Wednesday, June 12, 2013, as she takes donations for firefighters and victims of the Black Forest fire. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
A Chinook helicopter passes in front of clouds of smoke from the Black Forest fire Wednesday, Jun 12, 2013. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Care and Share volunteers Kim Thomas, left and Sarah Paris collect food donated for Black Forest fire relief Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Kari Crawford walks through smoke and charred trees as she works to protect her father’s Black Forest home Wednesday, June 12, 2013 near Burgess Road and Armonia Ranch Ct. on the second day of the Black Forest fire. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Tom Smith works to remove tree limbs to protect a friend’s home from advancing flames Wednesday, June 12, 2013 near Burgess Road and Armonia Ranch Ct. in Black Forest. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
Yesterday during the Black Forest Fire, a firefighter rescued a week-old fawn from the fire. The fawn was taken to the Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center late on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The fawn wouldn’t eat or stand last nightt. They are calling the fawn “Bambi”, but have a goal of returning him to the wild someday Jamie Harrison was able to get the fawn to take a bottle today after research was done to see what kind of formula to use. There are 80-100 homes that are estimated to have burned in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
A firefighter fights a blaze in a garage in Black Forest on Table Rock Rd. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
A DC-10 slurry bomber drops a load Wednesday, June 12, 2013, on the Black Forest Fire near Highway 83 and Shoup Road. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Kari Crawford, left, and Roy Broers workd to slow the advance of fire moving toward Crawford’s father’s Black Forest home Wednesday, June 12, 2013 near Burgess Road and Armonia Ranch Ct. on the second day of the Black Forest fire. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
A firefighter fights a blaze in a garage in Black Forest on Table Rock Rd. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Dave and Linda Burgess watch as a plume rises near their home on Burgess Road in The Black Forest on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 near Colorado Springs, Colo. They were not sure if their home survived the fire. Three Colorado wildfires fueled by hot temperatures, gusty winds and thick, bone-dry forests have together burned dozens of homes and led to the evacuation of more than 7,000 residents and nearly 1,000 inmates at medium-security prison. (AP Photo/Bryan Oller)
A helicopter from Ft. Carson’s 4th Combat Aviation Brigade drops water behind a home and between advancing flames as the Black Forest Fire burns out of control for a second straight day near Colorado Springs, Colo. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Three Colorado wildfires fueled by hot temperatures, gusty winds and thick, bone-dry forests have together burned dozens of homes and led to the evacuation of more than 7,000 residents and nearly 1,000 inmates at medium-security prison. (AP Photo/Bryan Oller)
A photographer takes photos of the Black Forest Fire as it burns out of control for a second straight day near Colorado Springs, Colo. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Three Colorado wildfires fueled by hot temperatures, gusty winds and thick, bone-dry forests have together burned dozens of homes and led to the evacuation of more than 7,000 residents and nearly 1,000 inmates at medium-security prison. (AP Photo/Bryan Oller)
The Black Forest Fire burns out of control for a second straight day near Colorado Springs, Colo. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. An evacuated resident watches a plume rise near his home. The fire has consumed at least 7500-8000 acres. It has destroyed 92 homes and damaged others. The erratic fire has forced the evacuation of thousands of people in the Black Forest and portions of Colorado Springs. (AP Photo/Bryan Oller)
A U.S. Army C-130 makes a slurry drop on a wildfire in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. As many as 50 homes were destroyed by the fire on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
People pulled to over watch from their cars as a fire-fighting slurry plane makes a pass in preparation to drop its load on a wildfire in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The number of houses destroyed by the Black Forest fire could grow to around 100, and authorities fear it’s possible that some people who stayed behind might have died. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Fire crowns in the trees on a wildfire in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The number of houses destroyed by a wildfire near Colorado Springs could grow to around 100, and authorities fear it’s possible that some people who stayed behind might have died. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
Shad and Melisa Dohl watch as fire crowns in the trees on a wildfire in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The number of houses destroyed by a wildfire near Colorado Springs could grow to around 100, and authorities fear it’s possible that some people who stayed behind might have died. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
Fire crowns in the trees on a wildfire in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The number of houses destroyed by a wildfire near Colorado Springs could grow to around 100, and authorities fear it’s possible that some people who stayed behind might have died. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
A fire catches a detached garage on fire in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Firefighters arrive to fight the fire that approaches a home in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
The fire creeps towards a house near a detached garage that is burning. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Firefighters arrive to fight the fire that approaches a home in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Firefighters arrive to fight the fire that approaches a home in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Firefighters arrive to fight the fire that approaches a home in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Firefighters arrive to fight the fire that approaches a home in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
The Black Forest Fire creeps towards a home on Table Rock Rd. after a detached garage burns.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Firefighters arrive to fight the fire that approaches a home in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Red Cross workers and volunteers move provisions and cots from New Life Church after the evacuation center was moved to Palmer Ridge High School on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 during the second day of the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
A firefighter fights a blaze in a garage in Black Forest on Table Rock Rd. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
A firefighter fights a blaze in a detached garage in the Black Forest area in Colorado on Table Rock Rd. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
The trees surrounding a detached garage are engulfed with flames in the Black Forest area. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)
Flames continue to burn off Burgess Road through the night Wednesday, June 12, 2013 as crews work to contain the Black Forest fire. Michael Ciaglo/The Gazette
Flames continue to burn off Burgess Road through the night Wednesday, June 12, 2013 as crews work to contain the Black Forest fire. Michael Ciaglo/The Gazette