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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo.—A Carbondale rancher has pleaded not guilty to arson charges stemming from an April wildfire that damaged four homes and burned a fisherman.
Larry Gerbaz entered his plea in Garfield County District Court Thursday.
He faces one felony arson count stemming from the fisherman’s injuries and one misdemeanor arson count stemming from the property damage.
Investigators believe the fire erupted from embers that remained in a wood pile on Gerbaz’s ranch about a week after Gerbaz burned it.
Gerbaz told investigators he had taken several precautions to keep the fire from spreading, including cutting a fire break around the pile and dousing the embers.
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Information from: The Aspen Times,
