Man’s Attempt to Cremate Dog Ignites One of Colorado’s Largest Wildfires This Year

Investigators now believe that a devastating wildfire in Colorado was started by a man trying to cremate his dog.

Authorities arrested 63-year-old Brent Scott Garber on September 5th after learning he was the culprit behind the wildfire in Nucla back in August.  The situation unfolded on August 1st when a sheriff’s commander spotted Garber speeding away on an ATV just minutes after the flames spread.  Upon further investigation with state fire officials, they found a dug-out cave at the fire’s origin site, revealing the partially charred body of Garber’s dog, Rocket.  Another piece of evidence was a large rock inscribed with the chilling message “Oct. 2017 July 2024, Rocket Dog, Rest in Peace Buddy,” found nearby.  Rocket had been ordered to be euthanized by a judge after a violent fight with another dog. 

After the animal was put down, Garber held the cremation ceremony near the camper he lived in by placing Rocket in a pit with wood and setting it ablaze, even throwing a spray can into the flames, which exploded and ignited a nearby tree.  This sparked one of Colorado’s largest wildfires this year, resulting in approximately $300,000 in damages, devastating over 7,200 acres.  Miraculously, there were no reported evacuations or injuries.  Garber initially claimed the blaze was an accident. 

Garber’s preliminary hearing is set for October 23rd.  He has been charged with arson and trespassing.