Hayman fire map

DENVER—The former U.S. Forest Service employee who started the worst wildfire in Colorado’s recorded history testified Friday she burned the letter blamed for igniting the blaze as a “symbolic gesture” of her failing marriage.

Terry Lynn Barton took the stand in a lawsuit brought by insurance companies that want the federal government to cover about $7 million they paid out in claims from the Hayman fire.

The companies argued the federal government is at fault because of Barton failed in her responsibility to extinguish the blaze before it spread. Barton was working as a fire spotter for the Forest Service.

Barton pleaded guilty to state and federal arson charges and served six years in prison. She was released in June.

She testified the letter she burned in a campground was from her estranged husband, apologizing and asking to stay with her.

But an attorney for the government said Friday that Barton previously claimed her husband’s letter tol Terry lynn barton fire!