A man accused of igniting a wildfire in Marinwood entered a not-guilty plea in court on Wednesday.
Judge Kelly Simmons suspended criminal proceedings for Colin Crook, 34, a homeless resident, and ordered him to undergo a mental competency examination to see if he’s fit to stand trial. He remains in custody at Marin County Jail, where his bail was set at $12,000.
The 18-acre fire started near Queenstone and Ponte fire roads on Aug. 13. Evacuations were not ordered and no injuries were reported. Investigators later identified Crook as a potential suspect and arrested him after a brief struggle on Nave Road in Novato.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office reported that Crook burned his tent and tried to extinguish the flames but he left before ensuring the fire was out.
On Wednesday, Crook also pleaded not guilty to a charge of resisting police.
Crook’s public defender, Jeff Mitchell, and prosecutor Rachel Minarovich declined to comment after the hearing. Crook’s next appearance is set for Sept. 24.