Report: Waldo Canyon Fire started near hiking trail

Dispatch recordings show that Colorado’s deadly Waldo Canyon wildfire appears to have started near a popular hiking trail west of Colorado Springs.

The Denver Post reported Friday that recordings show firefighters searched the Waldo Canyon trail on the evening of June 22 and morning of June 23 trying to find the source of smoke. They were unable to because winds dispersed the smoke.

On June 23 the fire exploded and went on to destroy nearly 350 homes and kill two people. That day, on dispatch recordings, at least two firefighters said the fire apparently started in the area they had searched.

Authorities say they’ve pinpointed the fire’s origin but haven’t released details, including whether it was human-caused.

The National Weather Service says there were no thunderstorms there on June 22 or 23.