A Colorado man has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire that burned more than 15 square miles, destroyed 29 homes, and resulted in property damage of more than $30 million.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested 49-year-old Jason Alexander Hobby on Sept. 10. He appeared in court on Wednesday on first-degree arson charges in connection with the Alexander Mountain Fire that started at a guest ranch on July 29 and was contained on Aug. 17.
“The Alexander Mountain Fire destroyed homes, endangered lives, and scarred our community—literally and figuratively,” Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said. “I’m extremely grateful for our LCSO investigations team and US Forest Service partners who worked nonstop to find answers in this case. I also want to thank the Sylvan Dale Ranch staff. Despite the fire danger at their doorstep, they were extremely supportive during the fire response and cooperated with our investigation in its aftermath.”
Feyen said at a press conference that he couldn’t go into details about how the fire was started, but that it appeared to have spread from a fire ring on top of Alexander Mountain. He said the official cause is still under investigation.
Hobby was working as an employee at the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch outside Loveland, Colorado, where he is suspected to have represented himself as law enforcement and a certified firefighter.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested 49-year-old Jason Alexander Hobby on arson charges in connection with fires that destroyed up to 29 homes and did $30 million in property damage. Courtesy of the LCSO
LCSO investigators found that long before the fire, Hobby was allegedly pulling people over on ranch property in a Chevrolet SUV modified to resemble a law enforcement vehicle, pointing a firearm at them, and telling them they were trespassing.
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Hobby owns a Ford truck equipped with firefighting gear. Despite no record of certification, he was operating under “Twin Buttes Fire Protection” out of Wyoming while representing himself as an official wildland firefighter and bypassing road closures to enter restricted areas, the LCSO said.
LCSO charged Hobby with first-degree arson, impersonating a police officer, menacing, false imprisonment, and impersonating a public official.
Feyen said the false imprisonment charge stems from Hobby’s alleged pulling people over without authority to do so.
The suspect was issued a bond of $450,000.
According to the LCSO, over 530 local, state, and federal personnel were assigned to the Alexander Mountain Fire.
“Four homes sustained damage, and 29 homes and 21 outbuildings were destroyed,” the LCSO said. “The private and public property damage is estimated at more than $30 million. The burn scar and surrounding area now face an increased risk of flash flooding and debris impacts.”
The LCSO said the investigation is ongoing.
