Jury Hold Nevada Liable for 2017 Wildfire

Wildfire destroyed 40 structures

 

 

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A jury has found the Nevada Division of Forestry liable for the loss of 23 homes and 17 other buildings in a 2016 wildfire after strong winds re-ignited a prescribed burn.

The verdict Friday set the stage for future court proceedings to determine what damages are owed property owners who sued the state, but it was not immediately known whether the state will appeal.

“Vindicated, vindicated,” plaintiff Debbie Sheltra said after the verdict. “It doesn’t replace what we’ve lost, but we feel a great sense of satisfaction because we were right and we didn’t give up.”

See also  New Mexico Issues 10-Year Plan to Boost Forest Health

Jurors heard two weeks of testimony by fire officials, investigators, meteorologists and homeowners about the circumstances of the fire in the Washoe Valley near Reno that followed a prescribed burn on land owned by the University of Nevada, Reno.

The 53 plaintiffs and their attorneys said the forestry division was negligent before winds a week later the burn re-ignited the fire.

“For two years, these people have lived without their homes, without their belongings, some of them lost 50-60 years of memories and the only thing they’ve ever asked for two years is that you accept responsibility for what you did,” William Jeanney, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said in court.

See also  Middle Fork Ranger Dist. Crew 501

The defense argued that the fire was an unfortunate accident and that firefighters did everything correctly during the burn.

The state’s lead defense lawyer in the case, Steven Shevorski, on Saturday referred comment to an Attorney General’s Office spokeswoman, Monica Moazez, who did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The burn was aimed at clearing out overgrown vegetation to prevent future wildland fires, while giving the university a chance to study fire’s impact on the ecosystem.

All contents © copyright 2018 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Topics

Subscribe to Our Monthly Newsletter

Stay in the loop with our wildland newsletter.

Wildfire destroyed 40 structures     RENO, Nev. (AP) — A jury has found the Nevada Division of Forestry liable for the loss of 23 homes and 17 other buildings in a 2016 wildfire after strong winds re-ignited a prescribed burn. The verdict Friday set the stage for future court proceedings to determine what damages […]

Get The Wildland Firefighter Newsletter

Related Articles

So, You Want to Be a Hotshot?

So, You Want to Be a Hotshot?

By Brian White When I think back 20-plus years to my first introduction to being a wildland firefighter, I smile, take a deep breath, and exhale. I have the most amazing memories and, honestly, I miss it. It was the hardest work of my life. I was part of a group of...