Fire personnel and law enforcement have made significant progress today into their investigation of the Monte Vista Fire, which started around 12:15pm on April 20.
Over the course of today, fire investigators and members of the Rio Grande County Assessor’s Office have been able to complete an initial damage assessment of structures and document vehicles lost in the fire. They currently estimate structures lost or damaged at15, this includes homes and buildings. A final report documenting total structures and estimated dollar amount will not be available for several weeks.
Officers with the Monte Vista Police Department and agents with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and fire inspectors with the Division of Fire Prevention and Control worked diligently to identify a point of origin and cause of the fire. To reiterate, while it is early in the investigation, cause and origin are still unknown but once the investigation is complete it will be forwarded to the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
After consultation with fire personnel and investigators, the evacuation area was released and restrictions into the area were removed at 3:00pm. Investigators do continue to work a focal point just north of Acequia and west of Jefferson, on the west side of the trailer park.
Unless other significant changes in the investigation occur, this will be the last update until early next week.
Thank you for your patience as we have worked through this difficult time for our community and please continue to support those who were directly impacted by this fire.