The fire was started by a forest service employee!
By JENNIFER HAMILTON, Associated Press Writer
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (AP) - A U.S. Forest Service employee was charged Sunday with starting the fire that scorched more than 100,000 acres in the Pike National Forest and destroyed at least 22 homes.
Forestry technician Terry Barton, 38, admitted starting a campfire while patrolling the forest to enforce a fire ban, said Bill Leone of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
She said she started burning personal papers within a designated campfire ring, where fires normally would be allowed, and then tried to put out the blaze.
"She attempted to suppress the fire but it grew," Leone said.
Barton initially reported the fire, but an investigation led the Forest Service to question what she was saying, Leone said.
Barton was charged with setting fire to timber in the national forest, damaging federal property in excess of $100,000 and making false statements to investigators, Leone said.
If convicted, Barton could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. She was arrested Sunday morning; it was not immediately clear whether she had an attorney.
She was scheduled to make an initial court appearance in a Denver federal court Monday.
"I want to begin by saying, this is one of the hardest announcements I've had to make in my career," said Rick Cables, regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region for the U.S. Forest Service.
"I'm shocked and with a lot of other people, in a state of disbelief," Cables said. "I'm saddened to say that one of our employees has admitted to starting the Hayman fire."
Firefighters gained ground Sunday on the wildfire that had burned within 40 miles of Denver city limits since it was started June 8, threatening southwestern suburbs.
With the blaze about 35 percent contained, about 5,400 people remained out of their homes. It was one of seven fires burning in the state Sunday.
Scattered puffs of smoke could be seen on mountainsides once totally obscured by smoke.
"Hopefully, this fire is going to now stay essentially where it is at," said Bobby Kitchens, a fire information officer. "We don't expect to see any more significant acreage gains."
Sheriff's deputies escorted some residents to retrieve belongings and assess damage, but didn't allow them to stay. Frustrated residents waited at the command post, trying to learn when they'll be able to return for good.
"It started to get to be a long period because one of the big things is I don't like eating out. I miss cooking at home," said Bob James, 46, who has been out of his home north of Lake George since Tuesday.
Another blaze flared in southwest Colorado and forced the evacuation of more than 330 homes. The latest fire had burned more than 20,000 acres in the San Juan National Forest by Sunday morning.
In addition to the evacuations, residents of 450 homes were told to be ready to leave. One cabin was destroyed, and fire managers were trying to determine whether others had burned.