US EditionFive Arrested, Accused of Starting Yellow Jacket Fire in Meeker Amid Tense Wildfire Season
Five suspects face state and federal charges for starting the 35-acre Yellow Jacket Fire, with arrests made after a multi-agency investigation preserved key evidence.
- Authorities arrested five people on September 22 for allegedly causing the Yellow Jacket Fire in the White River National Forest near Meeker.
- The fire started on August 15 amid a tense wildfire season marked by the larger Lee, Elk, and Crosho fires demanding major firefighting resources.
- Firefighters contained the burn on August 18 after it scorched about 35 acres and deputies preserved evidence for a multi-agency investigation including U.S. Forest Service personnel.
- Each individual is accused at the state level of unlawfully igniting woods or prairie, classified as a Class 6 felony, and also faces multiple federal allegations related to unlawfully entering a closed forest area, having fireworks, and taking wood without authorization.
- The arrests and investigation alleviated pressure on firefighting resources strained by concurrent fires but leave the suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Five arrested, accused of starting Yellow Jacket Fire in Meeker amid tense wildfire season
RIO BLANCO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – The Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office says five people are in custody, accused of starting the Yellow Jacket Fire in Meeker this summer amid a tense, busy wildfire season in the region. Zachary Williams, 29; Ashley Trujillo, 38; Jason Ridgeway, 40; Michael Buhler, 52; and William (Billy) Ekstrom, 36, were all arrested on Monday. All five were charged with firing woods or prairie, alongside several federal charg…
Aspen Times
5 people arrested for allegedly starting Yellow Jacket Fire
The Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office arrested five people suspected of causing a fire in the Yellow Jacket area of the White River National Forest, northeast of Meeker, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Zachary Williams, Ashley Trujillo, Jason Ridgeway, Michael Buhler and William Ekstrom Jr. were arrested Monday and charged with firing woods or prairie — a Class 6 felony — as well as several federal charges including entering a forest clo…
Five people arrested for allegedly starting Yellow Jacket Fire
The Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office arrested five people suspected of causing a fire in the Yellow Jacket area of the White River National Forest, northeast of Meeker, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Zachary Williams, Ashley Trujillo, Jason Ridgeway, Michael Buhler and William Ekstrom Jr. were arrested Monday and charged with firing woods or prairie — a Class 6 felony — as well as several federal charges including entering a forest clo…
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