Police: Man carrying torch deliberately sparked fire

About a dozen hikers and cyclists were at Coyote Ridge Natural Area on Saturday when police say Edgar Almond started a fire that burned less than one acre. 

Police responded to the area after hikers called to report seeing Almond walking down the trail from the parking lot off Taft Hill Road carrying a propane torch and "acting odd." When police got there, flames and smoke were visible several hundred yards west of the parking lot, according to Almond's arrest affidavit. 

People in the area told the responding officer that Almond had started the fire. When police approached him, Almond turned around and put his hands on his head. He said he started the fire, which was still burning at the time police questioned him, according to his affidavit. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree arson and reckless endangerment.

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About an hour before the hikers called to report Almond's behavior, police encountered him at Beavers Market, after staff members and customers said he was making them uncomfortable, according to his affidavit.

Poudre Fire Authority said the fire burned less than one acre and was under control within 45 minutes of firefighters being dispatched. 

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