GILLETTE, Wyo. — The case regarding a man charged with felony arson for allegedly starting a fire on Gap Road has been continued, Campbell County court records say.
David K. Spiker, 62, is charged with felony arson for allegedly starting a grassfire that consumed acreage and damaged property on Gap Road while attempting to burn weeds on his property on March 19, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.
Court records state Spiker was initially charged with felony property destruction, with a preliminary hearing set to take place on March 26; however, the charge has since been amended to felony arson and the preliminary hearing has been continued.
Spiker was taken into custody on March 19 after Campbell County Sheriff’s deputies and Campbell County Fire Department personnel responded to multiple reports of an out-of-control fire on Gap Road. The investigation revealed Spiker attempted a controlled burn after notifying the appropriate authorities but lost control of it and requested emergency aid, per the affidavit.
The fire consumed 51.2 acres, spanning multiple properties, while causing damage to equipment, buildings, a boat and a vehicle, the affidavit states.
Spiker took deputies to where he started the controlled burn, reporting that he ignited an area the size of a shoe and that the fire quickly got out of hand. He reportedly failed to construct a containment berm or other barrier around the intended burn area, didn’t have water ready to suppress the fire and had no tools readily available to contain the fire aside from a spade shovel, per the affidavit.
Spiker claimed the wind suddenly kicked up after he started the burn and that he ran to get his skid steer to contain the fire once he realized it had gotten out of hand. Upon realizing the fire was beyond his control, he called emergency services for aid, the affidavit states, adding that wind conditions at the time were generally consistent between 17 and 12 miles per hour.
Deputies took Spiker into custody after determining he had acted in a reckless or criminally negligent manner by not taking the proper fire containment steps and not having the appropriate means to put it out if the fire got out of control. His alleged actions resulted in significant damage to his neighbors’ property, per the affidavit.
Felony arson is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both, per Wyoming State Statute.
Correction (3/25/2024): A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the age of the defendant. David K. Spiker is 62-years-old.