A man from Colorado has been accused of starting a wildfire that wreaked havoc in the region, destroying 29 homes between late July and mid-August. Authorities detailed the case on Wednesday.
Jason Alexander Hobby, 49, appeared in court facing a first-degree arson charge related to the fire ignited on July 29 at the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, situated west of Loveland—approximately an hour’s drive north of Denver. According to Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen, Hobby was taken into custody on Tuesday after being identified as a suspect in the incident. Following the emergence of evidence linking him to the fire, he was terminated from his position at the ranch.
The blaze, referred to as the Alexander Mountain Fire, managed to breach a designated fire ring at the ranch. It spread across an extensive area of roughly 15 square miles before being fully contained on August 17. Authorities reported damages exceeding $30 million, with firefighting efforts costing around $11 million, as stated by District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin.
While Sheriff Feyen noted that the investigation is still active, he did not definitively categorize the fire as accidental or intentional.
Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via AP
In addition to the arson charge, Hobby faces two misdemeanor counts for impersonating a public official. It is alleged that he fashioned a pickup truck to resemble a wildland firefighter vehicle, enabling him to circumvent checkpoints during the fire. Feyen indicated that the man also used an SUV styled to look like a police car to stop individuals near the guest ranch, falsely presenting himself as law enforcement, claiming people were trespassing, and even brandishing a firearm.
These incidents reportedly took place “weeks and months” prior to the fire, coming to light during the ongoing investigation. Hobby faces additional charges including impersonating a police officer, menacing, and false imprisonment in relation to these events.
Initially, his bail was set at $250,000; however, it has since escalated to $450,000. DA McLaughlin has requested an increase to $1 million cash bail, expressing concerns that Hobby might attempt to flee and revealing that he is under investigation for possible fire-related incidents in Wyoming, though the specifics remain undisclosed. A public defender has argued for the original bail amount, citing Hobby’s ownership of a business and his residence in Loveland with his wife.
Hobby’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 24.
This article includes contributions from The Associated Press.