2 Plead Not Guilty To Starting Lake Christine Wildfire

EAGLE, Colo. (AP) — Two people accused of starting a wildfire in western Colorado last summer by firing incendiary tracer rounds at a shooting range have pleaded not guilty. Twenty-three-year-old Allison Marcus and 24-year-old Richard Miller, both of El Jebel, entered their pleas Wednesday in Eagle County District Court before Judge Paul Dunkelman.

Both face felony arson charges related to the Lake Christine fire that destroyed three homes and burned some 12,600 acres near Basalt last July.

The Aspen Daily News reports that trial dates were set for May 28 to June 7 for Miller and June 17-28 for Marcus.

The Vail Daily reports that attorneys disagreed on whether a jury should hear the two cases at the same time. The judge says the issue will be addressed during a March 15 motions hearing.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Colorado Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile), the deadliest (Storm King) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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