State Sues Inland Power For Cost Of Fighting Wildfire

Fri., Dec. 29, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

The Washington Department of Natural Resources is suing a Spokane power company to recoup the cost of fighting a forest fire.

The suit, filed Monday in Spokane County Superior Court, blames Inland Power & Light Co. for the Happy Hills fire, which burned 15 acres on July 11, 1994. The fire was five miles west of TumTum in southeast Stevens County.

DNR alleges the fire started when wind knocked two dead trees onto a 7,200-volt power line. Inland is responsible for keeping its rights-of-way clear of any trees that threaten its lines, the suit contends.

The power company refused to pay DNR’s $6,314 bill for fighting the fire.

“We have an excellent track record of maintaining our right-of-ways,” said Dave Clinton, Inland’s assistant manager, who would make no other comments about the suit. , DataTimes

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