Two arson suspects arrested in Cold Springs wildfire

Authorities are warning that shifting high winds and high temperatures on Sunday could put more homes in danger. The fire that started on Saturday spread quickly, and it scorched 300 acres as it moved to the northeast, with no containment.

Kim Rand, at right, hugs Kestrel Neathawk during a community briefing regarding the Cold Springs Wildfire on Monday, July 11, 2016, at the Nederland High School in Nederland, Colo. This was in addition to 1,253 people evacuated Saturday. An aerial attack has helicopters making water drops on the 606-acre fire.

This photo provided by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office shows Jimmy Andrew Suggs.

Fire officials said Tuesday afternoon they have found three more homes that were destroyed in the Cold Springs fire near Nederland, bringing the total to eight.

This isn’t the first run-in with law enforcement for the pair: Kuykendall was arrested four years ago and later convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl, according to Alabama criminal records, and the Cullman Times newspaper reported Suggs was arrested in 2012 for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Firefighters are battling windy conditions and the blaze. As of Sunday night, the Rocky Mountain Type 2 Incident Management Team, a federally certified crew, has taken over operations in the area.

Two campers from out-of-state have been arrested for arson. “We’ll remain on scene as long as we’re needed”, said The Adjutant General of Colorado Air National Guard Maj.

Their names weren’t immediately released.

Five homes have been destroyed by a Colorado wildfire that authorities say two transient men accidentally started.

Officials also revised the number of acres burned down to 566 from more than 600.

To the north, firefighters were able to keep a wildfire burning near Nederland from spreading despite gusty winds.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said 28-year-old Jimmy Suggs and 26-year-old Zackary Kuykendall, both of Vinemont, Ala., have been charged with fourth-degree arson, for not properly extinguishing a campfire. According to the court documents, they told investigators they had been camping in the area at different sites on what turned out to be private property and reading their Bibles.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office says there are 30 more homes in the path of the fire.

Crews will continue their direct attack of the wildfire on Tuesday.