County officials have released information about what investigators believe started a large wild fire in Ordway, Colorado Tuesday afternoon. It appears to be the result of a controlled burn.

The following are excerpts from a news release submitted by the Crowley County Department of Emergency Management:

"The Colorado Bureau of Investigation CBI has issued a memorandum to the Crowley County Sheriff’s Office outlining its preliminary findings regarding the fire which started Tuesday and consumed 8,900 acres by the time it was contained Wednesday evening.

The memorandum states that there were two ignition points, both the result of controlled burns that had taken place prior to Tuesday’s fire. The fires had not been completely extinguished, and re-kindled. Strong winds were found to be a contributing factor to the spread of the
fire.

The fires were determined to be human caused, but no evidence of intentional criminal acts were found. CBI will continue to assist the citizens of Crowley County at the direction of the Sheriff."

Two volunteer firefighters, John Schwartz, Jr. and Sgt. Terry DeVore died trying to battle the blaze.