Tag Archives: CalFire

Fire Law Roundup for September 11, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 11, 2023, attorney Bill Podszus and Curt discuss a discrimination suit against the Buffalo Fire Department; the ruling upholding the termination of a Bridgeport firefighter for “bizarre behavior”; a wrongful death ...

Fire Agencies Seek Over $120 Million in Damages for Two California Wildland Fires

Two wildland fire related lawsuits are in the Fire Law headlines, brought by the nation’s two largest wildland firefighting agencies, the US Forest Service and CalFire. The US Forest Service filed suit against Southern California Edison and Utility Tree Service over the Bobcat Fire in 2020.

Fire Law Roundup for May 22, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 22, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a New York volunteer fire company against contractors over toxic fill used in the construction of a new firehouse; the filing ...

Family Sues Over Fire Death in Homeless Encampment

The family of a man who died in a fire at a homeless encampment in Oceanside, CA last year, has filed suit against the City of Oceanside, San Diego County, and CalFire. The Estate of Gabriel Pritchard, Pritchard’s mother and his brother filed suit in San Diego County Superior court.

Fire Law Roundup for May 8, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 8, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a suit brought by a woman who was injured in an altercation with an on-duty Sparks, Nevada firefighter; a race discrimination suit brought by a ...

Demoted Captain Sues CalFire Alleging Disability Discrimination and Retaliation

A firefighter with the CalFire has filed suit claiming he was subjected to harassment and retaliation by a supervisor, culminating is his being demoted from captain to firefighter II. Ken Meyers filed suit in Santa Clara County Superior Court naming CalFire and Battalion Chief Tim Main as defendants.

Subrogation Claim Alleges Wildland Bulldozer Destroyed Well

An insurer who paid $52,000 in damages to a California couple whose well was destroyed by a bulldozer creating a fire line, has filed suit against the US Department of Agriculture, Cleveland National Forest, and CalFire. The California Fair Plan Association filed suit earlier this year in San Diego County Superior Court. The case was removed to US District Court last week.

Cal Fire Sues Utility to Recoup Tenaja Fire Costs

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has filed suit against Southern California Edison to recoup its costs in battling the Tenaja fire in 2019. The fire burned approximately 1,939 acres in Murrieta, California.

Judge Orders Utility to Disclose Details on Dixie Fire

In a highly unusual judicial move, a US District Court judge has ordered the embattled utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, to disclose information it has relative to the origins of the still-active Dixie fire in Northern California. The fire began on July 13, 2021, is less that 25% contained, and is predicted to become the largest wildland fire in California history.

Wrongful Death Suit Over California Wildland Air Drop To Continue

A lawsuit filed by the family of a Utah battalion chief killed when a Very Large Air Tanker (VLOT) dropped 19,600 gallons of fire retardant on his position while operating at the Mendocino Complex Fire in California in 2018, will continue following a ruling by a US District Court judge.

CalFire Settles With In-N-Out Burger Over 2017 Fire

A lawsuit filed by CalFire to recoup the costs associated with the Huasna Fire in 2017, has been settled with In-N-Out Burger. The fire in San Luis Obispo County burned nearly 250 acres over the course for four days and cost nearly $1.2 million to fight.

Utah Widow Suing CalFire Over Tanker Related LODD

The widow of Utah battalion chief killed last year while deployed at a wildland fire in California, is suing CalFire, the owner of a 747 airtanker, and two Cal Fire firefighters. Heather Burchett filed suit for the wrongful death of Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett, of the Draper City Fire Department

Too Many Fire Law Headlines

It is one of those days at Fire Law, where there are simply too many headlines to follow them all. So take your pick. Will it be the Everett, Washington firefighters that drove a drunk homeless man out of town and left him, or the Hartford lieutenant who assaulted a captain at a fire scene apparently because the captain disrespected him, or the Oregon firefighter who is charged with sexually assaulting a colleague while training last year in Texas, or whether CalFire is obligated to pay the PSOBP benefits to contract firefighter-pilots killed in air-tanker crashes.

Cal Fire Sues Property Owner To Recoup $25 Million in Costs

Cal Fire is suing a property owner and two caretakers in hopes of recouping over $25 million in costs associated with fighting the Mountain Fire back in July, 2013. The fire burned over 27,000 acres, destroyed 23 structures, and required 260 engines, 20 helicopters, 12 fix wing aircraft, and 3500 firefighters before being brought under control.

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