Overview
- National Forest Service firefighters found three burned trees on private land bordering National Forest along County Road 390, and Chaffee County detectives took over the probe after the blaze was discovered on June 14.
- Investigators say an accelerant believed to be gasoline was used on at least two trees and that a clear plastic drink container containing accelerant was found hung from a third tree.
- Detectives are actively working the case with other law-enforcement partners and have not identified any suspects publicly.
- Sheriff Andy Rohrich posted that the office has zero tolerance for this behavior and urged anyone with information to call the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (719) 539-2596.
- County Road 390 is a busy recreational corridor that leads to historic sites near Buena Vista, and authorities warn that similar acts during Colorado’s high-fire season would threaten people, homes, and forest resources.