Jackson Outfitters, LLC, a hunting outfitter based in Placerville, Colorado, has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle allegations related to the ignition of the Cow Creek Fire. The fire occurred in October 2019 and burned 850 acres on the Uncompahgre National Forest in Ouray County, Colorado.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the fire was allegedly caused by a wood-burning stove inside a wall tent at Green Mountain Camp. This camp is owned and operated by Cow Creek Outfitters, an affiliate of Jackson Outfitters. At that time, the camp was occupied by a party on a self-guided elk hunt booked through Cow Creek Outfitters.
The U.S. government claims that embers from the stove's stovepipe ignited dry vegetation on the ground. As a result, approximately 850 acres of National Forest System lands were burned. The government incurred significant costs in suppressing the fire and alleges that Jackson Outfitters failed to ensure that their equipment did not cause an escaped fire due to lack of a functional spark arrestor.
Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell stated: “Outfitters must ensure that the equipment they use in National Forests is safe and protects public lands for all of us.” He also expressed appreciation for the cooperative resolution which reimburses costs incurred by fighting the fire.
It should be noted that while Jackson Outfitters agreed to settle this matter financially, they did not admit any liability regarding these allegations.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations with Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Ross handling the case.