Update
Throughout the last few weeks, the Regional Explosive Unit (REU) and the Manitou Springs Police Department have collaborated to ensure a thorough investigation into the Incline Fire is completed.
On Saturday, October 17, 2020, Mr. Tincher learned he was a person of interest in the Incline Fire and walked into the Police Operations Center to provide a voluntary statement. Detectives and investigators from both Manitou Police and the REU interviewed Mr. Tincher, and are no longer asking for the community’s assistance in locating his whereabouts. Thank you to everyone who helped aid in this search and to those who provided tips.
Both agencies are still jointly working together to determine if the fire is considered a criminal act. No charges have been made at this time.
Due to the seriousness of wildfires in Colorado, multiple local and state agencies came together for a quick response to this incident. We would like to acknowledge and thank our partners with the Manitou Springs Police Department, the Manitou Springs Fire Department, the Colorado Springs Fire Department, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department for all the critical work and effort they have put forth in this case.
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On October 8, 2020, at approximately 4:45 P.M., the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) received a report of a fire on the lower part of Barr Trail near the Manitou Incline. Multiple agencies from the federal, state, and local level have provided assistance in extinguishing the fire.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office was the first law enforcement agency to respond to the scene, as the fire was reported in their jurisdiction. The Regional Explosives Unit (REU) - a multijurisdictional team led by the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) – was called in and has since assumed responsibility for the investigation, in cooperation with the Manitou Springs Police Department.
Throughout the last week, detectives from the REU have worked tirelessly to figure out what caused the fire. It has been determined that the Incline Fire originated in a homeless camp that was concealed in the trees on the side of the mountain near Barr Trail. While the fire was believed to be human caused, the REU, as well as Fire Investigators, have not yet determined what specifically started the fire due to the large amount of flammable materials that were kept at the camp. Some items include materials for building campfires, propane tanks, e-cigarettes, and more. Please see attached picture.
Through their investigation, REU detectives have identified 49-year-old Scott Tincher as a person they would like to speak with, as he was last seen in the area at the time the fire started. Mr. Tincher is described as a white male, approximately 5’9 and 200 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
This remains an active and open investigation.
If anyone has any information of Mr. Tincher’s whereabouts or has additional information regarding this fire, please call the tip line at (719) 520-6666, or to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP (7867).