FORT COLLINS — The Larimer County sheriff has issued an arrest warrant for Thomas Howie and said he will be charged with one count of felony arson related to the Crystal Fire, which scorched nearly 3,000 acres and burned 13 homes west of Fort Collins.
The warrant carries a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
Investigators said they are working with Howie’s attorney to have him turn himself in, the sheriff said in a news release.
According to investigators, Howie was burning slash near his parents’ home in Bellvue on April 1. High winds drove the flames out of the slash pile. Howie allegedly left his parents’ home, but did not report the blaze.
By the time the fire was declared contained on April 11, 13 homes had burned. Investigators estimate it cost $3 million to fight. Three firefighters were injured.
This is the second accidental fire in Larimer County to result in felony arson charges in less than a year. The Reservoir Road fire that burned 740 acres and two homes in the foothills west of Loveland in September was started by Joel Ledermann, 41, who was burning brush near his home.
Ledermann pleaded guilty to misdemeanor arson in December and received three years’ probation. He has filed notice of a possible lawsuit against 23 agencies that responded to the fire, claiming they mishandled their response.
