Arrests have been made in the Yellow Jacket Fire investigation in Rio Blanco County northeast of Meeker. First responders to a wildfire in Rio Blanco County on August 15th found evidence that the fire was likely human caused. Following an in depth investigation, the following individuals were arrested on September 22nd: Zachary Williams, Ashley Renae Trujillo, Jason Dwayne Ridgeway, William Argul Ekstrom Jr., and Michael Lee Buhler. “The Yellow Jacket Fire encompassed approximately 35 acres,” shares the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office. “The investigation was particularly critical as Rio Blanco County was simultaneously managing the considerably larger Lee, Elk, and Crosho fires in the region, which placed significant demands on aerial and ground firefighting resources. The diversion of air support and other suppression assets to the Yellow Jacket Fire presented additional public safety challenges.”
