11-06-2025
Black Forest Fire case remains active 12 years later
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — June 11 marks 12 years since the deadly Black Forest Fire burned more than 14,000 acres and destroyed 489 homes.
On Tuesday, June 11, 2013, the fire broke out and burned for days until it was declared fully contained on Thursday evening, June 20.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO) has stated in the past that the Black Forest Fire was a 'cold case' due to the passage of time, with no new information. While the origin of the fire is known, the cause has not been determined.
FOX21 News reached out to EPSO on the eve of the fire anniversary for an update on the status of the case.
'This case remains active, and no further details can be released at this time,' said a spokesperson with EPSO.
Overall, the fire burned 14,280 acres, causing over $420 million in damage to the region. The total cost of fighting the fire was $9.23 million. The fire also claimed the lives of two people, Marck and Robin Hecklotz, who were both longtime members of Space Command and were killed when trying to leave their home in Black Forest.
At that time, the wildfire became the most destructive in Colorado's history, surpassing the Waldo Canyon Fire just a year earlier. Since then, the 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder County became the most destructive.
D20 students to reforest a portion of Black Forest scar
Reforestation efforts continue in the Black Forest burn scar. Most recently, students from the Academy School District 20 (D20) partnered with the Colorado State Forest Service to plant 100 tree seedlings in the area.
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