Colorado's costliest wildfire on record started from fierce winds that damaged power lines and unearthed smoldering embers from a controlled burn days earlier, sparking two blazes that merged into a deadly conflagration,

Authorities declined to bring any criminal charges in connection with the 2021 Marshall Fire, but noted lawsuits would likely be filed by victims.

Authorities say embers from a smoldering scrap wood fire outside a home and a sparking power line separately caused a Colorado wildfire fanned by high winds that destroyed nearly 1,100 homes and left

The Marshall Fire happened nearly a year and a half ago on Dec. 30, 2021, but investigators say they believe its origins may actually date to nearly a week earlier.