Property owner faces arson charge in Pine Valley fire

Rocky Mountain News

Published August 2, 2006 at midnight

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A Fort Collins man faces arson charges in a May 28 blaze that consumed 102 acres of grassland and trees in Jefferson County, the sheriff’s office reported today.

John Carter Rowley started the blaze while burning tree limbs, branches and slash on his property despite a countywide fire ban that went into effect May 25, according to a release by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

After completing an investigation, it was determined the fire started in the 16700 block of Cochise Trail and burned the 102 acres, damaged an ATV and triggered evacuation of two mountain communities before it could be contained the following day.

More than 90 firefighters from seven different fire departments fought the blaze at a cost of nearly $120,000.

A fire investigator plans to present the investigation to the Jefferson County District Attorney, who will decide what charges to file. Potential charges include arson, a class 2 misdemeanor, and "firing woods and prairies" a class 6 felony.

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