GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office Fire Marshal working
with the Grand Junction Fire Department, has determined the origin and cause of
the Rosevale Fire.
A person has come forward and claimed responsibility for
starting the fire. Their account of what happened is consistent with eyewitness
statements and evidence found at the origin of the fire.
The fire began at a property in Grand Junction city limits,
on the 2500 block of D Road. The person
who claimed responsibility was trying to fix a flat tire on a riding lawnmower when
tall grass ignited. The dry brush and winds quickly turned a spark into an out-of-control fire.
While neighbors called 911, the person responsible helped slow the progress of the fire until
firefighters arrived. The strong winds associated
with Monday’s Red Flag warning pushed the fire rapidly to the east into the surrounding
community forcing evacuations.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be referring the case
to the Mesa County District Attorney’s Office to determine the appropriate
charge. No arrests have been made at this time. The person's name will be released once charges are filed.
Thank you to everyone who sent in photos and videos of the
early stages of the Rosevale fire. We are no longer seeking any more
information from the public about the fire.
The case remains active and under investigation.
