A Wyoming man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of arson related to a series of wildland fires near Maybell on Sunday and Monday.

According to a news release from the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Kobe John Dimich of Casper, Wyoming was arrested near mile marker 39 on Highway 318 after a witness reported seeing a male subject lighting fireworks in the vicinity and leaving at a high rate of speed. Dimich. Dimich was charged with DUI and multiple counts of arson.

On the evening of July 6, at approximately 10 p.m., Craig Regional Dispatch received a report of a wildland fire along U.S. Highway 40 near milepost 75. The Maybell Volunteer Fire Department and deputies from the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office responded immediately. Upon arrival, deputies located evidence indicating that fireworks were the cause of the fire.

While emergency crews were actively working the initial fire, a second fire was reported on Highway 318 just west of Maybell. Maybell Fire deployed additional resources to that location, where deputies again found evidence consistent with fireworks usage.

The Moffat County Sheriff’s Department reported that at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 7, a third fire was reported near milepost 45 on Highway 318. This fire posed an immediate threat to a nearby ranch and multiple structures. Maybell Fire, Moffat County Wildland Fire and BLM Fire responded and successfully contained the blaze. Deputies at the scene discovered evidence linking the fire to fireworks.

Sheriff Chip McIntyre commended the deputies involved, stating: “The rapid response and thorough investigative work of our deputies played a crucial role in identifying and arresting the suspect responsible for these dangerous and reckless acts. Intentionally or negligently setting fires with fireworks during high fire danger not only endangers lives and property, but also puts our firefighters and first responders at unacceptable risk. We will not tolerate this kind of disregard for public safety in Moffat County.”

Editor’s note: Every person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent unless and until their guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.