alexander mountain fire

Alexander Mountain Fire- Another 9/11 or Victory?

September 11, or 9/11 in the U.S. and the entire world, is known to be a ‘BLACK’ day in history. But 9/11, 2024, was a little bit of a victory for Larimer County. The County's Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Jason Alexander Hobby, a 49-year-old Loveland man, in connection with the Alexander Mountain Fire, which started on July 29, 2024, and burned 9,668 acres of Larimer County. The fire destroyed 52 structures and caused about hundreds of evacuations.

Hobby was taken into custody on Tuesday, September 10, and faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree arson and five counts of impersonating a public official (law enforcement or fire personnel). Investigators found evidence that Hobby, who worked at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, had represented himself as a law enforcement official and certified firefighter despite having no official documentation or credentials.

The investigation discovered that Hobby had created a fake business, “Twin Buttes Fire Protection,” with emblems and gear to impersonate a wildland firefighter. He allegedly drove a Ford outfitted with this gear to bypass road closures and access restricted areas during the fire, claiming to be a wildland firefighter. Hobby’s actions caused concern among investigators, who believe he may have falsely represented himself as a law enforcement or fire official in other circumstances.

Community impact

Though the fire had significantly impacted the community, destroyed properties and causing evacuation of hundreds of residents, no lives were reportedly lost. The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service made a joint effort to contain the fire, which was fully contained on August 17, 2024.

Timeline

•      July 29, 2024: Alexander Mountain Fire starts

•      August 9, 2024: Investigation determines fire was human-caused

•      August 17, 2024: Fire is fully contained

•      September 11, 2024: Arrest of Jason Alexander Hobby announced