The exact cause of the $5 million Elkhorn Fire in July north of Durango remains undetermined, though investigators have outlined several possible ignition sources.
The Durango Fire Protection District said in a Wednesday news release that an investigation began immediately after the fire was reported on July 26.
The fire began at an under-construction home at 151 Grouse Point Road, owned by Douglas and Helen McPhail, according to La Plata County GIS. The release said the blaze cost the U.S. Forest Service about $5 million.
That figure does not include costs incurred by DFPD and mutual aid resources, including the La Plata County Office of Emergency Management, Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado State Patrol.
No individual is being billed for the DFPD’s response, said Fire Chief Randy Black in a text message.
The fire burned about 300 acres in the Elkhorn subdivision north of Durango, according to fire-tracking service WatchDuty. Evacuations were lifted Aug. 5, and the fire was declared 100% contained Aug. 10. The only structure lost was the one where the fire began.
While the specific cause has not been determined, investigators confirmed the fire started in a human-made structure.
“It was determined the fire originated in or on the structure and not in nearby vegetation,” the release said. “This determination was validated based on the initial data collected including the mass loss of the structure, wind direction, fire patterns and indicators and witness statements.”
The Elkhorn fire was reported just before 5 p.m. July 26, and investigators arrived on scene at 8:15 p.m. that evening.
“Investigators documented the scene of the structure fire and surrounding wildfire as well as obtained statements from responders first on scene,” the release said. “Fire suppression continued for several days while fire scene examination and investigation activities focused on the origin and cause of the fire.”
On July 27, investigators interviewed the property owner and workers. Fire investigators from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control were dispatched July 29 and used an ignitable liquid detection dog and collected soil and debris samples for lab analysis.
After reviewing the evidence, investigators hypothesized the fire may have started due to multiple potential ignition sources and flammable materials stacked around the property, the release said.
A temporary power pole with a breaker box and multiple extension cords was being used to power tools, and based on witness statements, workers were seen smoking in and around the construction site, the release said.
Rags soaked in flammable wood-treatment chemicals had been discarded around the structure. Large amounts of combustible construction waste materials were piled around the structure, especially near the front porch, and piles of unused materials were found in and around the home, the release said.
“These hypotheses were tested against data analysis, physical evidence and observations as well as known testing related to ignition temperatures, fire behavior and fire dynamics,” the release said. “Therefore, the cause of this fire is undetermined, but investigators reserve the right to modify this determination should additional information, evidence or data become available.”
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
