Park County Sheriff's Office PO Box604 Fairplay, CO 80440 719-836-2494 Sheriff Tom McGraw

Press Release

On Saturday, May 1, 2021, a wildfire was reported in the area of County Road 56 and Forest Service Road 813. Local fire departments from Jefferson/Como, Platte Canyon, Lake George, Northwest and the Forestry Service responded to the fire. A large airtanker and a helicopter were brought in to assist. The fire was finally contained after burning approximately 45 acres. Several campers in the area were evacuated by Wildlife officers and Park County Sheriff's Office deputies. No persons were injured and no structures were lost due to the wildfire. It was determined that the cause of the fire was due to an individual that had driven off the trail and had started a campfire that had gotten out of control. The individual did remain in the area and called 911 to report the fire.

Phillip N. Riker was arrested on the following charges:

• Intentionally Setting a Wildfire- Felony 3
• Second Degree Arson-Felony 4
• Unlawful Conduct on Public Property-Misdemeanor 2
• Driving Under Suspension-Misdemeanor Traffic

Riker was booked into the Park County Jail and was released on bond Sunday evening. The Park County Sheriff's Office will aggressively pursue persons that have committed any criminal act that results in the destruction of land or structures in our County.

Tom McGraw 

Sheriff