Woman arrested for allegedly starting Highland Lakes fire in October
A 77-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly starting the Highland Lakes fire outside of Divide in October.
Lacey Tillitt, 77, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of felony arson, according to a news release from the Teller County Sheriff’s Office.
The release states that Tillitt knowingly set fire to her own home in October and that because of her actions “over 700 homes were threatened, the entirety of the Highland Lakes area was evacuated, and the surrounding neighborhoods were put on pre-evacuation orders.”
Foreclosure faced at home believed to be origin of Highland Lakes fire, documents reveal
Previous Gazette reporting details that five days before Tillitt is alleged to have started the fire, a Teller County judge ruled against Tillitt and forced the sale of the property at 13 Beaver Lake Circle in Divide.
The scene of the house that was the origin of the Highland Lakes fire that started burning Oct. 28. The home has since burned all the way to the ground. @csgazette pic.twitter.com/UNb9QYIXDg
— Mack Bodell (@mackenziebodell) October 30, 2024
Jail records show that Tillitt was booked in the Teller County jail on Thursday afternoon and faces a $50,000 bond to be released. She does not have a court date scheduled at the time of writing.
Highland Lakes fire in Teller County reaches 100% containment
The Highland Lakes fire started Oct. 28 and was 100% contained Nov. 2. It burned 166 acres northwest of Divide and forced more than 700 households to be evacuated.
Evacuated homes represented $300 million in value, and more than 2,000 people were displaced, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said.
The Sheriff’s Office said in November that it believed the fire was started by a person.
