Tips From Community Led To Arrest Of Wildfire Suspects

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Two men from Alabama are being held in the Boulder County Jail for their alleged role in starting the Cold Springs Fire.

Boulder detectives arrested 28-year-old Jimmy Suggs and 26-year-old Zack Kuykendall on Sunday.

After the fire broke out on Saturday, they reportedly evacuated to Nederland High School. The sheriff said tips from the community helped investigators find the two suspects.

The men, from Vinemont, Alabama, are accused of fourth-degree arson after setting a campfire on private land Thursday and then failing to properly put it out.

Fire investigators describe what the two men built as an ad-hoc campfire near the Peak to Peak Highway and Cold Springs Road. It is believed winds in the area combined with the dry weather allowed the fire to smolder before being reported through a 911 call early Saturday afternoon.

Both have criminal records: Suggs served one year of jail time for possession of drugs, and six months for theft. Kuykendall was given three years for rape, six years for burglary, and 12 months for public intoxication, but was only given probation and did not serve jail time.

The two men will be at the Boulder County Jail until bond is set. They will appear before a judge Monday morning.

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