The Town of Estes Park released this booking photo of Steven Allen Poff, age 41, who was arrested for on suspicion of fourth-degree felony arson for allegedly starting an illegal campfire in the public right of way along the north side of West Elkhorn Avenue near Valley Road in Estes Park Credit: Courtesy/Larimer County Sheriff's Office

Steven Allen Poff was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree felony arson for allegedly starting an illegal campfire on July 10, less than a mile west of downtown, in a public right of way along the north side of West Elkhorn Avenue near Valley Road in Estes Park.

The fire jumped a stone ring and spread to an area approximately 45 by 22 feet, damaging large trees and destroying a fence.

An area along th enorth side of West Elkhorn Avenue caught fire when an illegal campfire jumped a stone ring and spread to ground cover that was thickwith pine needles, pine cones, branches. Credit: Patti Brown / Estes Valley Voie
A burn scar just below West ELhorn Avenue, not quite a mile from downtown Estes Park, shows the extent of the fire. Estes Park Police Chief Ian Stewart credits the actions of firefighters, police officers and dispatchers for preventing a disaster if the fire had spreading into the downtown corridor. Credit: Patti Brown / Estes Valley Voice
Rocks were defaced with spray paint in the area by the campfire that spread along West Elkhorn Avenue. Credit: Patti Brown / Estes Valley Voice
In addtion to being charged with fourth-degree felony arson, Steven Allen Poff was also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief related to the desecration of property. Credit: Patti Brown / Estes Valley Voice
The area near the campfire that jumped the fire ring was littered with an assortment of trash and other objects. Credit: Patti Brown / Estes Valley Voice
The campsite, hidden just below West Elkhorn where Thursday’s fire burned an area approximately 45 by 22 feet, was litterd with an array of items. Credit: Patti Brown / Estes Valley Voice

The fire was reported to the 911 emergency dispatch at 8:27 p.m. Estes Park Police officers and firefighters from the Estes Valley Fire Protection District were on scene within six minutes, and the fire was contained within 24 minutes. No evacuations were necessary, and no injuries were reported.

Poff, 41, of Wisconsin, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Larimer County Jail on charges of felony arson, misdemeanor criminal mischief, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Estes Park Police Chief Ian Stewart credited the swift response of the community’s law enforcement, firefighters, and dispatchers with mitigating the situation.

“Downtown Estes Park and nearby neighborhoods were spared from a disaster due to the quick response of our firefighters, law enforcement, and dispatchers,” said Stewart in a press release issued by the Town of Estes Park.

The fire took place on property abutting the location of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and several private residences.

The Town of Estes Park released a booking photo of Poff. It matches a picture online of an individual by the same name with the same birthday, Sept. 9, 1983, arrested in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, on June 11, 2025. No reason for the arrest was given.

Additional information online through the state of Wisconsin indicates that a man named Steven Allen Poff, who has the exact birthdate, has been arrested for burglary, criminal damage to property, possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia, driving with a revoked license, unreasonable and imprudent speed, retail theft, bail jumping, and disorderly conduct.

Poff was arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. at the Ft. Collins Justice Center. His next court appearance is set for Thursday, July 17, at 8:30 a.m.

Individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.