Yakama Nation seeks $65.5M in fire damages from local utility

The Yakama Nation is seeking $65.5 million in damages from the Klickitat Public Utility District for a 2013 wildfire that burned almost 20,000 acres of tribal timberland near Satus Pass.

The tribe say a district power line ignited a tree. But the PUD disputes that conclusion and is asking a federal court to dismiss the claim, which was filed on behalf of the tribe by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The case represents one of the largest damage claims ever sought by a tribe over a fire on Indian forest land. Litigation over damages caused by wildfires is fairly routine, but the amounts being sought are growing as wildfire costs rise across the West.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/yakama-nation-seeks-655m-in-fire-damages-from-local-utility/