SEDGWICK COUNTY, COLORADO — A semi-truck driver has been issued a criminal summons in northeastern Colorado after investigators said sparks from his truck allegedly started a wildland fire near Sedgwick that burned about 500 acres before being fully contained, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s officials identified the driver as Scott Trumbo, 52, of California, and said he faces charges of criminal negligence, setting a fire, and careless driving. Authorities said court records were not immediately available as of Saturday.

Investigators said the fire prompted evacuations south of Interstate 76 and east of Highway 59 just before 6 p.m., though the evacuation orders were lifted about an hour later. The sheriff’s office said the fire was contained within the boundaries of I-76, Highway 59, County Road 18, and County Road 19, an area roughly 170 miles northeast of Denver and about 10 miles south of the Nebraska state line.

Officials said the case developed after the sheriff’s office received a tip and video footage showing a semi traveling eastbound on I-76 near mile marker 165 while allegedly dragging the trailer’s lowered landing gear, producing sparks investigators believe ignited the prairie fire.

While searching for the vehicle, officials said Chief Deputy Brettell located the semi parked on the eastbound Julesburg on-ramp near mile marker 180, with Sheriff Quayle and Deputy Clark responding to assist. Authorities said the tractor-trailer was impounded as evidence.

Investigators said Trumbo initially called in the fire after noticing it, but denied knowing his truck caused it. Officials said there were no signs of impairment.

The sheriff’s office said no injuries were reported and no structures were damaged, crediting containment to the “swift response and effective coordination” of multiple agencies and fire departments, as well as local farmers who used tractors equipped with disks to help create fire breaks.

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