Two men suspected of starting a wildfire last year that scorched 40 square miles of Oregon forestland could soon get a bill for at least $37 million.
The Oregon Department of Forestry says they’re still finalizing firefighting costs for the 2015 Stouts Creek fire that burned east of Canyonville. The agency will send a bill once that’s done.
Investigators spent months trying to pinpoint the cause, and their research ultimately pointed to the same men: Dominic Decarlo, 70, of Days Creek, and Cloyd Deardorff, 64, of Yuma, Arizona.
The cause? Their lawnmowers.
The Oregonian reported that fire investigators believe the men used their lawnmowers during hours prohibited by fire restrictions when the blaze started July 30, 2015.
Kyle Reed with the Douglas Forest Protective Association (Photo credit) says the men were cited for unlawful use of fire. Decarlo paid $110 in fines and Deardorff paid $440.
But Oregon also holds individuals financially responsible for fire suppression costs. An appeal is expected.
The Squirrel says: Fire season requires residents to be at a heightened awareness for the dangers of wildfire. Your local fire agency takes every precaution to help protect you and your property from fire. However, during a large wildfire, there may not be enough fire engines or firefighters to defend every home. Successful preparation requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family from the dangers of wildfire.