A foreman from a ranch near Walsenburg was charged Thursday with fourth-degree arson in connection with a wildfire last month that scorched almost 4,000 acres and destroyed five homes.
Kenneth Lutz, 56, faces a felony charge in the reckless burning of forest debris. Slash piles he made and lit in November on the Canyon Springs Ranch smoldered until the embers reflamed in high winds.
“His slash piles were poorly constructed and were still smoldering,” said Sheriff Bruce Newman of Huerfano County.
Lutz, who was advised of the charge at a hearing Thursday, called firefighters Jan. 6 when he discovered the fire but called back later that day and said it was under control, Newman said. The Fire Department came to the ranch the following day to check for hot spots and spent the day fighting the flames.
“Between the wind and dry conditions, the fire got out of control,” Newman said.
Lutz is free after posting a $20,000 bond.
The Mauricio Canyon fire ran across Huerfano and Las Animas counties before firefighters and a snowstorm stopped its spread.
The fire cost an estimated $413,000 to fight, said Barbara Timock of the U.S. Forest Service.
Neighbors said Lutz had a history of leaving fires unattended and lighting large areas at once. Some of his fires had become uncontrolled and spread to other people’s property, according to an affidavit filed by Newman.
“Back in November, we weren’t nervous because of the snow on the ground, but on (Jan. 6) I was concerned because of the dry conditions,” said neighbor Allen Holmes, whose cabin was destroyed in the blaze.
Lutz had a burn permit, valid through May 31, but the document states that someone must watch the fire at all times and is responsible for all fire damage, according to the affidavit.
Lutz was arrested Wednesday and is scheduled to return to court March 9. He faces a potential sentence of up to six years in the Department of Corrections followed by a mandatory three-year parole, and a fine of up to $500,000.
Staff writer Julianne Bentley can be reached at jbentley@denverpost.com.
