Guilty plea in the Tally Ho Fire

On Friday Aug. 11, Helena Syrovatkova, the woman accused of starting the Gunbarrel Tally Ho fire in 2022, pleaded guilty to charges of “firing woods or prairie” for causing a fire, through criminal negligence, that resulted in damage to the yards and fences of eight residential properties as well as open space grassland.

As part of a plea agreement, the original offense was downgraded from a misdemeanor to a petty offense, which charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 days in jail and a fine of up to $300, in addition to the possibility that prosecutors could file for restitution.

According to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Syrovatkova, who was working as an au pair in Boulder, lit a fire in a metal backyard fire pit on the night of April 18, 2022, and extinguished it that same evening. The following day, Syrovatkova believed the ashes had gone out, and spread them for fertilizer in a garden along the backyard fence of the property. Syrovatkova was back inside her home when she saw smoke and flames in the yard. She dialed 911 and tried to extinguish the fire, but the flames spread to a field south of Tally Ho Trail and ultimately grew to 10 acres before firefighters were able to extinguish it.

“I’m sorry beyond words that this happened,” Syrovatkova told the court. “I’m so grateful no lives were lost or houses burned and I do realize the shock it gave to the neighbors.”

Deputy District Attorney Kokomo Metzger, the prosecutor on the case, said she believed the fire to be “totally unintentional” and 50 hours of community service and restitution would “enrich communities for the damage she’s done.” Syrovatkova said she found her sentencing appropriate and that she would do her best to ensure she practices fire safety in the future.

“The last thing she ever wanted to do was cause harm to the community,” defense attorney Zachary Reibstein said in court. “She feels terrible. She loves the community of Boulder.”

“Although the defendant’s conduct is classified as a petty offense under the law,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “we all recognize the serious damage that she could have caused by spreading the embers on a red flag day and not covering those with dirt or water. That’s why criminal charges and a guilty plea were entirely appropriate in this case. The defendant accepted full responsibility and expressed remorse for her actions from the very beginning of this case and, again, in court today. The community service and paying of restitution for the damage reflects the actual impacts of her action – but, also, the fear she caused for a community that knows all too well what damage can be caused by fire.”

Metzger stated, “After considering all the facts in this case, including the impact to the community and that the maximum possible penalty for the crime Ms. Syrovatkova was charged with was 10 days jail, the People believe justice was served by requiring her to complete fifty hours of public service through Boulder County’s Community Justice Services. The people affected by the fire will be reimbursed through a restitution agreement stipulated to in the plea.”

Syrovatkova’s daughter currently lives in Boulder and Syrovatkova, who currently resides in the Czech Republic, has visited a number of times. If Community Justice Services approves, Syrovatkova will be allowed to serve out her sentence in the Czech Republic.