A San Juan County man has been charged with reckless burning and three other counts in connection with the Deer Creek Fire, a July wildfire that destroyed homes, damaged ranches and sparked a rare “firenado” in the La Sal Mountains.
Sheriff Rick Lacy said in a statement Friday, Oct. 3, that Scott Carrier has been formally charged with reckless burning, abandoned fire, causing catastrophe and violating stage one fire restrictions. The case has been referred to the San Juan County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
According to Fox 13 News, all four charges are misdemeanors. The station reported, citing court documents, that two men told deputies they saw smoke outside Carrier’s home on July 10, the day the fire began. Investigators later found brush piles that appeared freshly burned despite Carrier’s claim they had been ignited in the winter.
(U.S. Forest Service) Fire crews take cover from dust and winds during work on the Deer Creek Fire near La Sal, Monday, July 14, 2025.
Fox 13 News also reported that Carrier later expressed “regret and responsibility” for the fire beginning on his property but suggested lightning or arson may have been the cause. Investigators recovered additional evidence from the site, including a burned paper towel, lighter fluid, a gas can and a lighter found in a trailer.
“We will hold individuals accountable when their actions put lives, property and our natural resources at risk,” Lacy said.
The Deer Creek Fire ignited July 10 near Old La Sal and grew quickly, burning 17,724 acres in Utah and Colorado before crews declared it fully contained Aug. 11. At least 13 structures were damaged or destroyed, including primary residences, cabins, a U.S. Forest Service guard station and a communications site.
The blaze produced an EF-2 “firenado” on July 12 with winds stronger than 110 mph, according to the National Weather Service, which leveled homes in minutes.
The sheriff’s office said the fire threatened homes, infrastructure, wildlife and grazing lands. Incident costs from the blaze are estimated at more than $24 million.
No further details were released about the circumstances of the charges. The sheriff’s office said additional information will be withheld to “protect the integrity of the ongoing legal process.”
This story was first published by The Times-Independent.