Wildland

California Utility Settles With US Forest Service for $80 Million

Southern California Edison has agreed to pay the US Forest Service $80 million in damages to settle a suit related to the Thomas Fire. The fire burned more than 280,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties in 2017, including roughly 150,000 acres of national forests.

US Forest Service Sued for New Mexico Flash Flood Deaths

The US Forest Service is being sued by the families of three people who were killed in flooding that followed the largest wildand fire in New Mexico’s history. The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire burned over 300,000 acres and damaged over 900 structures.

Court Dismisses Boeing and Fire Contractor from Woolsey Fire Litigation

Los Angeles County Superior Court has ruled that neither the Boeing Company nor its fire protection contractor, Universal Protection Services, L.P., can be held liable for the harm that occurred as a result of the Woolsey Fire in 2018. That fire started on property owned by Boeing and NASA that ultimately burned 96,949 acres, destroyed 1,643 structures, and claimed 3 lives.

Fire Agencies Seek Over $120 Million in Damages for Two California Wildland Fires

Two wildland fire related lawsuits are in the Fire Law headlines, brought by the nation’s two largest wildland firefighting agencies, the US Forest Service and CalFire. The US Forest Service filed suit against Southern California Edison and Utility Tree Service over the Bobcat Fire in 2020.

Hawaii Firefighter Sues Over 2021 Burn Injuries

A volunteer firefighter with the Hawaii County Fire Department who was burned at a wildland fire in 2021, has filed suit against the department and three fire officers. Elizabeth Stabo filed suit last week in Hawaii’s Third Circuit Court, which covers Hawaii County.

Maui County Sues Utilities Over Wildland Fires

Maui County has filed suit against four utility companies servicing the island seeking damages arising out of the devastation wildland fires that occurred earlier this month. The suit names Maui Electric Company, Limited, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaiʻi Electric Light Company, Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. as defendants.

California Environmental Groups Sue Forest Service To Block Fuel Reduction in Big Bear

Several environmental groups, including the Friends of Big Bear Valley, John Muir Project of Earth Island Institute, and San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, have filed suit against the US Forest Service in an effort to block fuel reduction in the San Bernardino National Forest, and more specifically in the vicinity of Big Bear.

Class Action Lawsuit Blames Utilities for Deadly Maui Wildfire

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Maui Electric Company, Limited, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. alleging they bear responsibility for the tragic Lahaina Fire on the Island of Maui. At present at fire has claimed at least 99 lives, destroyed 2700 buildings, burned over 2,000 acres and caused damages estimated at over $5 billion.

Fire Law Roundup for May 22, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 22, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a New York volunteer fire company against contractors over toxic fill used in the construction of a new firehouse; the filing ...

California Court Rules FD Not A Crime Victim of Arsonist

The California Court of Appeals has ruled that a criminal convicted of setting a wildland fire cannot be required to pay restitution to responding fire departments as part of his sentence, because the fire departments are not the victims of the crime. The case involved Jorge Flores, who was convicted last year of setting a wildland fire in Ventura County in 2021.

Ohio Firefighter Charged with Arson

An Ohio firefighter is facing federal arson charges for setting a series of wildland fires earlier this year. James Bartels, 50, is accused of setting at least 24 fires in the Wayne National Forest.

Wyoming Firefighter Sues Utility Over Wife’s Death in Wildland Fire

A Wyoming firefighter who’s wife was killed in a wildland fire has filed suit against the utility and tree service that he contends are responsible for sparking the blaze. William Jerome “Jerry” Ruth filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming earlier this month.

Too Many Fire Law Headlines

It seems like each week I am only able to scratch the surface of the fire law news. This week is no exception, but I wanted to point out two additional noteworthy cases. The first involves the settlement of the city’s portion of the Kansas City, Missouri fatal apparatus accident case. The second case involves another firefighter being arrested while engaged in the performance of his duties by an overzealous cop.

US Forest Service Sued Over Fire Retardant Use

An environmental group has filed suit against the US Forest Service claiming that fire retardants used to battle wildland fires violates the Clean Waters Act. Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics filed suit in US District Court for the District of Montana against the US Forest Service earlier this week.

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