Forest firefighters on patrol north of Buena Vista stumbled onto what authorities say was a deliberate attempt to start a wildfire on Sunday, turning a routine sweep into an active arson investigation. Along Chaffee County Road 390 near Clear Creek Reservoir, crews found several burned trees and a plastic bottle that had been rigged with liquid accelerant.
According to the Denver Gazette, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office got the call after U.S. Forest Service firefighters came across the scene during a routine backcountry patrol. The site sits on unposted private land just west of Clear Creek Reservoir, about 15 miles north of Buena Vista, and deputies have opened a formal investigation.
Where It Happened
County Road 390 is a dirt backroad that peels off Highway 24 at Clear Creek Reservoir and winds into the San Isabel National Forest. Local recreation guides point out that it serves as the gateway to Mount Belford, Mount Oxford, Missouri Mountain, and Huron Peak, a cluster of fourteener routes that draw steady crowds of hikers and scramblers. FourteenerNet outlines the driving approach and trail access along the canyon drive.
What Investigators Found
On scene, investigators reported several trees with fresh burn scars and a clear plastic beverage bottle hanging from a tree limb, still holding a substantial amount of liquid accelerant. By the time firefighters arrived, a small fire at the base of the trees had already burned out before it could reach the suspended container. Authorities say the accelerant in the bottle was most likely gasoline.
Deputies are treating the discovery as an attempted arson while they continue interviews, collect physical evidence, and coordinate with state and federal wildland partners who have been notified of the case. The Denver Gazette provides the initial details from the scene.
Investigation And Public Warning
Officials are asking anyone headed into the backcountry to keep their eyes open and their phones handy. They urge visitors to document unusual activity, jot down license plates, and take photos if something seems off, so long as they can do so without putting themselves at risk.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at 719-539-2596, according to county contact information and emergency dispatch records.
Why It Matters
Even a small, slow-burning ignition in the timber and brush along this canyon can quickly turn into a fast-moving wildfire that threatens trails, private property, and nearby communities. Forest and county officials are reminding recreators to follow any posted fire restrictions, keep camps and vehicles away from dry vegetation, and report suspicious behavior to local authorities right away.
