Danish national accused of starting Spring Fire facing 141 arson charges

Jesper Joergenson, the Danish national who is accused of starting the third-largest wildfire in Colorado history, had a hearing Thursday and faces more than 140 counts of arson.

Joergenson, 52, was arrested in late June for allegedly starting the Spring Fire, which has burned more than 107,000 acres in Costilla and Huerfano counties. The fire was 83 percent contained as of Thursday.

(PHOTOS -> Smoke and flames from the #SpringFire )

During Thursday’s 10-minute hearing, Joergenson waived his right to hear the charges he faces. An arrest affidavit says he faces first-degree arson charges, though prosecutors said charges could be amended based on the final damage from the fire.

The only person physically present for the hearing was a court clerk — Joergenson, his lawyer, the prosecutors, and the visiting judge all conducted the hearing over a conference telephone call. Just one evacuee was in the audience, along with local media.

Joergenson hasn’t entered a plea yet; his plea should happen following a preliminary hearing when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to move forward with prosecution. That preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 16 and could take two days.

Court documents revealed that Joergenson was interviewed by detectives in the early days of the Spring Fire, and he changed his story several times when asked about what might have kindled the flames that grew to take out swaths of homes near Forbes Park. He denied setting the fire intentionally.

We also learned that Joergenson has been in the country illegally on an expired visa. He’s a citizen of Denmark.

Joergenson will next have a status conference at 4 p.m. on Aug. 2 in Costilla County. He’s currently being held in the Costilla County Detention Center.