ASPEN (AP) — A man and woman who pleaded guilty to starting a wildfire that destroyed three homes in western Colorado have each been sentenced to 45 days in jail.
The Aspen Times reports Allison Marcus and Richard Miller were sentenced Monday and also must complete 1,500 hours of community service and pay $100,000 in restitution each.
Prosecutors say the two, both of El Jebel, started the Lake Christine Fire last July by firing incendiary tracer rounds at a shooting range. The wildfire scorched nearly 20 square miles (52 square kilometers) and forced thousands of people from their homes in the El Jebel area.
The judge acknowledged that some will think the jail sentence is lenient, but he noted Marcus and Miller are both in their early 20s and haven't been in trouble with the law before.
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