Possible Suspect In Beaver Creek Fire

The Beaver Creek Fire burned close to 100 acres near Monument in August.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but neighbors in the area have informed authorities that there was a hiker in the area. The hiker was later identified as Michael Anthony Penn.

One man, who wished to remain anonymous, told KRDO Newschannel 13 the hiker was disheveled and scratched. He said Penn asked a local homeowner for water, which he was given. This man said Penn told the homeowner that he had been lost for several days in the woods.

He said after the homeowner gave Penn water, ? they sent him on his way, down the driveway, where there was just tons of firemen, hot shots and law enforcement sheriffs. They could have certainly helped him, but from what I understand he never made it down there. He went into the woods again.?

The man told KRDO Newschannel 13 that it is not uncommon for hikers to be wandering about the area.

?You can?t convict him of anything, but he does need to be looked into because it could have been accidental, or it could have been intentional, we don?t know,? the man said.

No arrests have been made in the case of the Bear Creek Fire.