MONTROSE COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) — An arrest has been made in connection to the Bucktail Fire that burned over 7,000 acres and lasted for a few weeks in August.
WesternSlopeNow obtained the arrest affidavit of Brent Garber, 63, who was found to have started the fire in an attempt to cremate his dog.
Garber, a transient from Nucla, had been living in a camper on BLM property in the Mountain View area of 25 Road when law enforcement noticed him leaving the area where the fire just started.
According to a witness, Garber, in an attempt to cremate his dog, had loaded the pit with wood and began to light the wood a blaze, later throwing a "fly spray can" into the fire. The fire then blew onto a nearby tree starting the wildfire.
Garber now faces the following charges:
- Second-degree arson ($100,000-$1,000,000) - Knowingly set fire to his dog which later caused damages to several properties which totaled to approximately $182,178.78
- Fourth-degree arson ($100,000-$1,000,000) - Knowingly set fire to his dog which later caused damage to a cabin which totaled approximately $125,000
- Second-degree trespassing (zoned agricultural) - Knowingly entered the premises of another which was fenced and had sign reading "Private Property" and a yellow sign on the fence post to the right of the gate that read "NO TRESPASSING."
Garber is expected to make his appearance in court Sept. 25.
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