Dillon Fire burned 318 acres in 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - CLT Logging, Inc. has paid $1.95 million to settle allegations by the United States relating to a wildfire that scorched 318 acres of national forest land, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today.
The “Dillon Fire" started in Siskiyou County on Aug. 3, 2012. Investigators determined the cause to be a trailer carrying improperly secured logging equipment, which dragged against California Highway 96, throwing sparks that ignited dry grass in 21 separate locations. The fire burned 182 acres in Six Rivers National Forest and 136 acres in Klamath National Forest.
“As wildfires continue to sweep across California, my office stands committed to protecting our national forests and holding accountable those who endanger them," U.S. Attorney Talbert said.
“For the first time in its 112-year history, the U.S. Forest Service is spending more than 50 percent of its budget to suppress the nation’s wildfires," said U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore. “Recoveries like this one help to restore these severely burned landscapes to a healthy and resilient condition."
CLT Logging, Inc. is a timber company that conducts operations throughout Northern California. Additional parties to the settlement include Chuck L. Transportation, LLC and Barry Scott Peters. Today’s settlement does not constitute an admission of liability by the parties.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin J. Wolinsky pursued the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
