Body camera shows moments after El Paso County Sheriff’s deputy starts Alturas Fire
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Newly obtained footage from an El Paso County Sheriff's deputy's body-worn camera shows the moment that his sheriff's office vehicle caught fire, sparking a 180-acre blaze two weeks ago. The fire became known as the Alturas Fire and threatened at least 50 homes.
NEW: (1) Bodycam footage from El Paso County Sheriff's Deputy Julian Schlosser-Sample shows the moments after he sparked what would be a 180-acre+ fire. 50 homes were evacuated, and the airport was temporarily closed when he drove through tall grass on a red flag day 2 weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/BxhzTElws5
— Spencer Soicher KRDO (@spencersoicher) May 25, 2022
According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO), Deputy Julian Schlosser-Sample's car is responsible for the blaze that burned 182 acres and temporarily closed the Colorado Springs Airport. Agencies from all over the area responded to the fire after EPSO reported that Schlosser-Sample's car got stuck in tall grass while responding to a suspicious vehicle call. The Colorado Springs Police Department closed Powers Blvd. both north and southbound near Milton Proby Pkwy as it fought the fire for hours.
There were multiple fires in El Paso County on May 12 before the Alturas Fire started. EPSO said the fire ignited because of an issue with the catalytic converter on the deputy's car in the tall grass.
Because the incident involved fire, an investigation is being conducted by the Security Fire Department. An EPSO spokesperson says until that investigation is finalized, there won't be any policy changes or discipline for Schlosser-Sample.
In the bodycam video, there appears to be a fire extinguisher in the deputy's trunk that he doesn't grab. Later, Schlosser-Sample can be heard saying that he took his guns out of the car before running to get help and alert nearby people.
EPSO says it won't comment during the ongoing investigation but did add, "this situation reminded everyone of the importance of staying vigilant."
KRDO reached out to the Security Fire Department to learn the status of the Alturas Fire investigation but has not heard back.
