Man trying to cremate his dog allegedly sparks Colorado wildfire, officials say
This Aug. 1, 2024 photo provided by the Telluride Fire Protection District shows the Bucktail Fire in western Colorado. (Credit: Telluride Fire Protection District)
Investigators said the cause of a wildfire in Colorado last month was due to a man who was attempting to cremate his dog.
Law enforcement arrested a man earlier this month and has charged him with arson and trespassing, according to court documents.
Investigators said that the man was holding a cremation ceremony on Aug. 1 for his dog, Rocket. The dog was euthanized after it was involved in a fight with another dog.
The subsequent wildfire that was sparked by the cremation ceremony caused about $200,000 in damages and burned down about 11 square miles. The wildfire has since been contained.
The suspect lived in a camper near the fire’s origin and the cremation ceremony got out of control when a spray can he threw into the blaze blew up and lit a nearby tree on fire, court records said.
Minutes after the fire was reported, law enforcement saw a man driving away from the fire on an ATV.