Investigators: Wildfire near Silverthorne likely human-caused

Investigators say a wildfire that scorched an area of Colorado known for its ski resorts, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,300 homes, was likely human-caused.

Summit Fire Chief Jeff Berino said Wednesday night that lightning has been ruled out as a cause of the Buffalo Fire, which erupted Tuesday near the central Colorado town of Silverthorne. The fire only burned about 100 acres but came dangerously close to two densely populated housing developments.

Berino says “some type of human element is probably likely” as a cause, although he asked residents not to speculate. An investigation is expected to take weeks to complete.

The closest ski resort to the fire, Keystone, is about 8 miles away and across a large reservoir.

Meanwhile, a fire in southern Wyoming that burned 8.2 square miles has destroyed some structures. Investigators have not said how many or what type of structures burned.