Having spent decades fighting fires in Fourmile Canyon, 71-year-old George Fairer knew the blaze he saw through the window of his home on Labor Day was dangerous and spreading fast.
Fairer, who lived at 100 Emerson Gulch near the 7100 block of Fourmile Canyon, helped evacuate residents and warned fellow firefighters that "the worst place for a fire anywhere was at the base of Emerson Gulch," according to a report from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
The volunteer firefighter -- who helped battle the blaze that turned into the most destructive in state history -- told colleagues on the day of the fire that he had no idea how it started, according to the Sheriff's Office report.
An investigation following the fire, however, revealed that the origin of the blaze was most likely a fire pit outside Fairer's home, the Sheriff's Office reported. District Attorney Stan Garnett announced Wednesday that Fairer will not at this time face charges in connection with the fire.
"The considered opinion of this office is that this charge could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, based on the available evidence," Garnett said.
Fairer told investigators that he last used the fire pit Sept. 2 and afterward doused the fire with water and stirred the ashes, according to the Sheriff's Office. Again, on Sept. 3, Fairer said he returned to the pit and doused it with more water and stirred the ashes to "ensure the fire was out."
http://www.dailycamera.com/fourmile-canyon-fire/ci_16143087?source=most_viewed
