Alexander Mountain Fire suspect arrested in Colorado, accused of arson and impersonating a first responder

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Alexander Mountain Fire that burned almost 10,000 acres in Northern Colorado earlier this year. The wildfire ignited on July 29 and destroyed 28 homes and 21 other structures.

Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said the suspect has been identified as Jason Hobby, 49, a Loveland resident and former employee of Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. 

Hobby was an employee of the ranch until about three or four weeks ago when he was identified as a suspect in the fire. 

"What led us to him was good, old-fashioned, plain police work," said Feyen. "We knew where the point of origin was, so we went up there to view and collect and find evidence with the Forest Service, and several arson investigators."

Feyen said that investigators found evidence as to the origin of the fire on top of Alexander Mountain. 

"We found evidence of a fire ring on top of Alexander Mountain and the fire escaped from the fire ring," said Feyen. 

The fire started on July 29 west of Loveland and prompted several mandatory and voluntary evacuations. The fire was mapped at 9,668 acres before being 100% contained a little more than two weeks after it started. 

Investigators said early on, the fire was caused by humans.  

Hobby was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and scheduled for a court hearing on Wednesday afternoon. He faces several charges including first-degree arson, impersonation of a police officer, menacing, false imprisonment and impersonating a public official.

Feyen said that Hobby falsely represented himself as law enforcement and fire personnel and stopped travelers months before the Alexander Mountain Fire, falsely claiming they were trespassing. Feyen also said Hobby pointed weapons at those who he had stopped. Those stops allegedly happened on the Northern Colorado Water District Property or the Hansen Feeder Canal. 

Hobby also drove a vehicle modified to look like a fire response vehicle. 

"It looks like what our fire department would use for a wildland fire. It was a 4-wheel drive pickup truck, striping on it, there are emblems on it that read "Twin Buttes Fire Protection District" and from our research and our investigation, we cannot identify a Twin Buttes Fire Department anywhere," said Feyen. "He had fire gear that also had those emblems on it. It had hose reels, it had drip cans, it was hard to tell. To the point where he was able to pass through, inappropriately, roadblocks to get to the fire scene."

During the fire, Feyen said Hobby bypassed road closures to get into restricted areas where he represented himself as a wildland firefighter defending ranch property. 

Hobby has an extensive criminal record in California, according to Feyen.  

Additional Information from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office:

Based on the evidence collected, investigators are concerned that Hobby may have falsely represented himself as a law enforcement or fire official in other circumstances. Anyone with information about this suspect's involvement in the Alexander Mountain Fire, or who believes they may be a victim in an impersonation situation, is encouraged to contact LCSO Investigator Justin Atwood at 970-498-5143.

On the same day as the arrest was announced, the Alexander Mountain post-fire Burned Area Emergency Response team completed its assessment for the Roosevelt National Forest. The report shows limited risk to human life and safety, infrastructure, as well as natural and cultural resources on Forest Service lands within the burn area. 

The report did find an increased risk for flooding and debris flows following heavy rainstorms. Because of this, the Forest Service recommends that "Everyone near and downstream from the burned area should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scar. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events. Larimer County has a website with recovery resources for residents impacted by the Alexander Mountain Fire. Other flood preparedness information is available at ready.gov/floods and floodsmart.gov."