Almost 2,000 people were evacuated, after the fire started Saturday northeast of Nederland.
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Two federal firefighters were killed in a crash returning from a wildfire patrol in remote northern Nevada, while crews battled blazes across the Western U.S.
Authorities say Jimmy Andrew Suggs and Zackary Ryan Kuykendall, both from Alabama, face felony arson charges because of the dangers the fire poses. They built a campfire, letting it burn into Friday morning, according to a statement issued by sheriff’s commander Mike Wagner.
The initial wildfire was reported by a 911 caller on Saturday at 1.30pm, police said.
Two first responders fighting a wildfire in Boulder County have continued working to save their neighbors’ homes even after their own was destroyed by the blaze.
The bad news follows an announcement earlier in the day by officials at a community meeting that the fire is expected to be 25 percent contained by Tuesday evening. “We’ll remain on scene as long as we’re needed”, said The Adjutant General of Colorado Air National Guard Maj. As of Sunday night, the Rocky Mountain Type 2 Incident Management Team, a federally certified crew, has taken over operations in the area. That brings the total number of homes destroyed to eight. That fire started on June 19 and now covers more than 22 square miles.
Resident Lee Kennedy was evacuated from her home on Ridge Road, but she got a glimpse of the fire before she left, the Boulder Daily Camera reported. According to the court documents, they told investigators they had been camping in the area at different sites on what turned out to be private property and reading their Bibles.
Some residents have lashed out at Suggs on a Facebook page that appears to be his and expressed frustration with people living in campsites in the area.
Pelle said that investigators believed the suspects tried unsuccessfully to put the fire out by piling dirt and rocks on top of it.
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Several wildfires are burning in Colorado, including one that has scorched nearly 19 square miles near Salida.
