A person comes forward and claims responsibility for starting the fire

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office Fire Marshal and the Grand Junction Fire Department have determined the cause of the Rosevale Fire. A person has come forward and claimed responsibility. Their account is consistent with local eyewitnesses and evidence found at the scene.

The fire started on a property in Grand Junction at the 2500 block of D Road.  The person responsible reports he was trying to fix a flat tire on a riding lawnmower when some tall grass ignited. The high winds pushed the blaze into some dry brush and quickly became an out-of-control blaze.

Those in the neighborhood called 911. The person responsible did help slow the progress of the fire until the Fire Department arrived.  The dry conditions and strong winds pushed the fire to the east into the surrounding community forcing the evacuations.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be referring the case to the Mesa County District Attorney’s Office to determine the appropriate charge. No arrests have been made at this time. The person's name will be released once charges are filed. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office thanks those that sent in photos and videos to aid in the investigation. Now that someone has come forward they no longer need any more information concerning the fire.The case remains active and is under further investigation.

Credit: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Megan Terlecky

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