A Colorado man, Brent Garber, 64, decided to take a deal and pleaded guilty on Wednesday for causing a wildfire in Montrose County last year. The fire was ignited while he was attempting to cremate his dog, Rocket. Garber admitted to one count of attempted arson, a felony charge, as per court records. Initially, he was facing three other charges, including two counts of felony arson and one count of trespassing.
The Bucktail fire, which was sparked by the cremation attempt, became one of Colorado’s most significant wildfires in the previous year. It started north of Nucla on August 1, 2024, scorching 7,200 acres of private and national forest land. The damages caused by the fire were estimated to be around $300,000, and sadly, it destroyed one home, according to Garber’s arrest affidavit. The authorities were able to identify Garber as a suspect when a commander from the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office saw him leaving the fire location just minutes after it was reported.
During the investigation at the origin of the fire, officials discovered a dug-out cave, the partially burnt remains of a dog, and a large rock with a heartfelt message etched on it, “Oct. 2017 – July 2024, Rocket Dog, Rest in Peace Buddy.” Garber is set to receive his sentence on July 16. If you want to stay updated on crime news, make sure to sign up to receive daily updates straight to your inbox.
