Forensic experts in Boulder County are still working to identify a person whose remains were found in the rubble of the Stone Canyon fire, but the condition of the remains is posing a challenge for investigators.
The remains were discovered in the aftermath of the Stone Canyon fire, which ignited July 30 north of Lyons, before it burned more than 1,500 acres. Five homes were destroyed and one person was killed.
The fire caused extreme changes in the skeletal remains, including dehydration, fragmentation, color alteration and loss of material, that make extracting DNA more complicated, the Boulder County coroner’s office said in a news release Wednesday.
DNA samples are often the only reliable method for identification in such cases, the coroner’s office said.
“The integrity of the bones is significantly compromised after a fire, making it extremely difficult to obtain usable DNA,” Boulder County Coroner Jeff Martin said in the release. “In addition, locating a living family member for comparative DNA analysis can further complicate and delay the process. We are dedicated to overcoming these challenges and are utilizing every available resource to assist in this identification effort.”
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the body was found inside a burned property in the 2600 block of Eagle Ridge Road, but have released little additional information on the investigation.
The investigation continues into what caused the fire. Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were looking into the fire alongside Boulder County authorities.
While the cause of the fire is still unknown, the ATF’s involvement indicates authorities believe it was human-caused.
The wildfire was one of three along the Front Range that forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the foothills north and west of Denver during the last week of July. Firefighters from around the state and county raced to control the flames that quickly spread amid extremely dry and hot conditions in Colorado.