The cost of the independent investigation into the Black Forest fire has risen thousands of dollars above original estimates.
The total expenses have reached $69,407, according to the Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, which commissioned the investigation. The total includes the investigation itself, as well as the report about its findings, public relations help, and other expenses.
The new total is about $20,000 more than last month's estimate, according to KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs.
The final investigative report cleared the Black Forest fire chief of wrongdoing, but the El Paso County Sheriff's Office is still conducting its own investigation.
(KUSA-TV © 2014 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
