MONTICELLO — A 68-year-old man is facing criminal charges for allegedly sparking the Deer Creek Fire in San Juan County over the summer.

Scott Carrier, of Old La Sal, was charged Friday in 7th District Court with reckless burning damage, abandoning fire damage and causing a catastrophe recklessly, all class A misdemeanors; as well as violation of fire restrictions in a closed area, a class B misdemeanor.

Investigators discovered what they believed to be the origin of the fire — a garbage burn pile — on Carrier’s property, according to a statement from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. The property is located at the northern edge of the community of Old La Sal.

The fire began on July 10 and grew to 17,724 acres — threatening homes, wildlife, infrastructure and other personal property

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