LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — A man has been arrested on arson and other charges in connection with a wildfire that destroyed more than two dozen homes west of Loveland earlier this summer.
The Alexander Mountain Fire, which started July 29, destroyed 28 homes and 21 outbuildings, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Investigators determined the fire was human-caused. Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said investigators found evidence that the fire escaped from a fire ring on top of Alexander Mountain.
On Wednesday, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office announced that Jason Hobby, 49, has been arrested in connection with the fire. According to court records, Hobby is being held on charges including first-degree arson, impersonating a peace officer, felony menacing, false imprisonment, and impersonating a public official.
A warrant was issued for Hobby's arrest on Friday, and he was arrested Tuesday, the sheriff's office said. Feyen said they are not looking for any other suspects.
Feyen said Hobby was an employee at the nearby Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch at the time the fire started. The ranch terminated his employment when he was considered a suspect, the sheriff's office said.
Haley and Jon Shepard have lived on Storm Mountain for eight years, and lost their home in the Alexander Mountain Fire. 9NEWS spoke with them after the arrest was announced.
“Mad. Angry at this person. Scared,” Haley Shepard said. “Scared that someone like this would do it again. I am just curious why.”
“There's a lot of people hurting up there,” Jon Shepard said. “A lot of people lost everything.”
The sheriff's office said investigators found evidence that before and during the fire, "the suspect represented himself as a law enforcement official and certified firefighter, despite having no formal law or fire credentials."
"Evidence indicates that on multiple occasions prior to the fire, Hobby stopped travelers on ranch property while driving a Chevrolet SUV designed to look like a law enforcement vehicle," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "The suspect reportedly represented himself as law enforcement, falsely told individuals they were trespassing, and pointed a firearm at them."
The sheriff's office said Hobby "also owns and operates a modified Ford truck outfitted with equipment often seen on wildland fire apparatus." He operated under the business name “Twin Buttes Fire Protection” out of Wyoming, despite there being no record of a registered fire organization by this name, the sheriff's office said.
> Watch the news conference announcing the arrest:
The sheriff's office said during the Alexander Mountain Fire, "Hobby bypassed road closures to access restricted areas and represented himself as a wildland firefighter defending ranch property."
"Based on the evidence collected, investigators are concerned that Hobby may have falsely represented himself as a law enforcement or fire official in other circumstances," the news release said. "Anyone with information about this suspect’s involvement in the Alexander Mountain Fire, or who believes they may be a victim in an impersonation situation, is encouraged to contact LCSO Investigator Justin Atwood at 970-498-5143."
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story initially included incorrect information about how the suspect's employment ended. The story has been updated to reflect that the ranch terminated Hobby's employment when he was considered a suspect.