Reward offered to help capture the arsonist who started the December 17th fire in Yuma County, Colorado

Yuma County Sheriff Todd Combs is releasing information regarding the large fire that took place on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Yuma County.

It occurred in the vicinity of Yuma County Road CC & 24, near Vernon, around 7 pm. A witness observed an individual setting the ditch on fire in an act of arson just before the high-winds kicked-up. Before the witness could get a close look, the arsonist drove off in a pickup truck, on County Road 24, going westbound at a high rate of speed. It was confirmed that an accelerant was used in the ditch to get the fire going. If anyone witnessed and/or saw the pickup driving erratically, or in any way, please contact the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff needs the eyes & ears of the community to catch this person, as numerous other fires have been started recently in the Vernon area.

Investigators Hedglin and Morgan of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control are assisting on this case.

There is a $5,000.00 reward being offered for a conviction in these cases. If you have any information about this incident, you can contact the Yuma County Sheriff's Office at 970-332-4805. There are a couple of other phone numbers for information - 1-877-892-7766 or 303-239-4151.