Five arrests have been made related to the 35-acre Yellow Jacket Fire that sparked in Colorado’s Rio Blanco County northeast of Meeker on August 15. This was during the fight against larger Lee, Elk, and Crosho fires that were burning nearby and already utilizing crucial firefighting resources.

An investigation into the start of the Yellow Jacket Fire was conducted, with signs pointing to a human-related origin.

Fast-forward to September 22, and the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office says five individuals have been arrested, allegedly involved in the blaze. The suspects are aged 29 to 52 with each charged with ‘firing woods or prairie,’ which is a class six felony. Charges related to entering a forest closure, removing wood without a permit, and starting a fire during restrictions also at play, with one suspect also charged with possession of fireworks.

All five suspects were taken into custody and transported to jail. Charges are merely accusations and all suspects are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Whether the fire originated from a campfire or otherwise was not addressed in the press release aside from that the blaze was believed to be human-caused.