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WA state says BNSF started fires, sends $460K bill
Author: Graham Buxton
Date: 07-19-2008 - 16:51
Excerpt from the Seattle Times:
The state of Washington blames Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway locomotives for starting six blazes along its tracks that grew into a 365-acre complex of wildfires last summer.
The fires destroyed one home and millions of dollars in timber southwest of Spokane.
The state's Department of Natural Resources is preparing to submit a $460,000 bill for firefighting costs to the railroad for the Aug. 11, 2007, fire, while 10 property owners say they are lining up to sue for unspecified damages if current private settlement negotiations fail.
Superheated carbon particles — emitted that day from the exhaust stacks of westbound BNSF locomotives — are believed to have started one fire in Spokane and five more over a 10-mile stretch of railroad right-of-way that follows the Cheney-Spokane Road through the community of Marshall, a new state report says.
Fire District 3 volunteer firefighter Scott Simmons, who was away camping that weekend with his wife and two sons, returned to find the family's home and its contents in ruins.
The family's loss included an estimated $1.3 million worth of timber that surrounded their home on six acres overlooking the community of Marshall.
Here's a link to the complete story in the Seattle Times:
[seattletimes.nwsource.com]
Having your property destroyed by fire is a terrible tragedy, but how does six acres near Spokane have timber worth anywhere near $1.3 million?
The state of Washington blames Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway locomotives for starting six blazes along its tracks that grew into a 365-acre complex of wildfires last summer.
The fires destroyed one home and millions of dollars in timber southwest of Spokane.
The state's Department of Natural Resources is preparing to submit a $460,000 bill for firefighting costs to the railroad for the Aug. 11, 2007, fire, while 10 property owners say they are lining up to sue for unspecified damages if current private settlement negotiations fail.
Superheated carbon particles — emitted that day from the exhaust stacks of westbound BNSF locomotives — are believed to have started one fire in Spokane and five more over a 10-mile stretch of railroad right-of-way that follows the Cheney-Spokane Road through the community of Marshall, a new state report says.
Fire District 3 volunteer firefighter Scott Simmons, who was away camping that weekend with his wife and two sons, returned to find the family's home and its contents in ruins.
The family's loss included an estimated $1.3 million worth of timber that surrounded their home on six acres overlooking the community of Marshall.
Here's a link to the complete story in the Seattle Times:
[seattletimes.nwsource.com]
Having your property destroyed by fire is a terrible tragedy, but how does six acres near Spokane have timber worth anywhere near $1.3 million?
WA state says BNSF started fires, sends $460K bill