The
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are seeking up to $12.25 million in economic damages in connection with a fire that hit the reservation, The Oregonian reports.
The
Nena Springs Fire burned more than 68,000 acres over a two-week period in August 2017. It caused "significant damage” to the reservation, forced evacuations of residents and led to economic losses for the tribe, the lawsuit filed on Monday states.
The tribe blames the owner of a ranch near the reservation, along with his brother, a contractor and the John Deere farm equipment company, for the fire, The Oregonian reports. The cause was listed as "Human, Under Investigation" in the federal government's incident information system.
The
Bureau of Indian Affairs, through
Warm Springs Fire Management, served the command post for the incident, according to the system.
"There are still 240 firefighters assigned to the fire," an August 22, 2017, update posted by the
tribe's fire management agencyon social media read. "They make up four crews and 24 engines. Additional leadership and support staff are in place providing organization to the small organization that is still working at the Incident Command Post, located at Warm Springs Fire Management."
The case is
The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon vs Lester Lindell, Larry Wisenbaker, Jamie Wisenbaker, John Deere Company, No. 19CV34208. It was filed in Wasco County Circuit Court.
Evacuation Notices Lifted on Nena Springs Fire
Warm Springs OR – Law enforcement officers have lifted all evacuation...
Posted by CTWS - Fire Management on Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Read More on the Story
Lawsuit accuses rancher, farm equipment manufacturer of sparking 68,000-acre wildfire
(The Oregonian August 6, 2019)
Join the Conversation
