Amid Colorado’s ongoing wildfire season, the state’s Division of Fire Prevention & Control on Monday announced the hiring of three K-9 fire investigators and their handler.

The canines specialize in ignitable liquid detection and tracking scents of decomposing human bodies, according to a news release.

K-9 handler Brian Eberle joins the division with three of his K-9 fire investigators: Rotsy, Hiccup and Moose.

“It’s all hands – and paws – on deck to better protect Coloradans and our communities this fire season and we are excited to welcome ROTC, Hiccup, Moose and their handler Brian, to the team,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. “We know that their experience will help save lives, support critical investigations, and strengthen Colorado’s wildfire response capacity.”

Three members of the state’s new wildfire investigations team — made up of nine fire investigators and now seven dogs trained to sniff out accelerants — were deployed last week to the Stone Canyon fire in Boulder County. 

Prior to 2023, local departments in Colorado were responsible for investigating their own wildfires, but a 2023 legislation allocated nearly $3 million to the state’s Division of Fire Prevention & Control within the Department of Public Safety to create the investigation unit.

Last week’s collection of wildfires are the first major incidents since the creation of the team.

Eberle joined the state’s fire division after a 21-year career in fire service. He last oversaw the Fire Investigation Unit and has worked as a K-9 handler since 2007, according to state officials.

His dog’s are experienced in arson, homicide, and missing person cases.

The new K-9 additions came amid ongoing wildfire’s across Colorado’s Front Range, including the Quarry fire that is under arson investigation in Jefferson County.

Quarry fire now being investigated as possible arson

“The actual number of arson fires and amount of property damage is likely much higher as arson is an underreported crime,” state fire division officials said in the release. “Arson dogs played a key role in helping to determine the cause of many of these fires.”

Chief Chris Brunette of the Fire and Life Safety Section at the Division of Fire Prevention & Control added: “Having investigator Eberle and his three K-9s join us in our mission to assist local jurisdictions with determining the cause of the fires that occur across our State will undoubtedly benefit countless communities.”