A Wyoming man is suspected of starting multiple wildland fires in Colorado over the weekend via the use of fireworks.

According to the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, the first report of one of the wildland fires related to the incident was received at about 10 p.m. via Craig Regional Dispatch on July 6. Deputies, along with the Maybell Volunteer Fire Department, responded to the scene, discovering a wildland fire along US Highway 40 near mile marker 75 – about 15 miles west of Craig. Deputies were quickly able to find evidence that fireworks were the likely cause of the blaze.

While crews continued their work on that initial fire, another fire was reported on Highway 318, just west of Maybell, which is about 14 miles west of where the initial blaze was reported. Deputies again found evidence of firework use in the area of this second blaze, with a witness also noting that a male was seen lighting fireworks before leaving the scene at a high rate of speed.

At about 12:30 a.m. on July 7, a third fire was reported, also on Highway 318, around mile marker 45. This fire is said to have posed an immediate threat to a nearby ranch and multiple structures. For a third time, evidence at the scene appeared to show that firework use was behind the blaze.

Not long after responding to the third fire, deputies located the suspect vehicle described by the witness on Highway 318 near mile marker 39. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Kobe John Dimick of Casper, Wyoming, 22. Dimick was arrested on charges related to arson and driving under the influence of alcohol, to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

“The rapid response and thorough investigative work of our deputies played a crucial role in identifying and arresting the suspect responsible for these dangerous and reckless acts,” said Moffat County Sheriff Chip McIntyre. “Intentionally or negligently setting fires with fireworks during high fire danger not only endangers lives and property, but also puts our firefighters and first responders at unacceptable risk. We will not tolerate this kind of disregard for public safety in Moffat County.”

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