The Rex Creek fire on August 4, 2009, part of the Railbelt Complex in Alaska. Photo: ADF
According to an article at newsminer.com, four landowners are demanding that the state of Alaska give them at least $100,000 each because some vegetation burned on their property during the 636,224-acre Railbelt Complex southwest of Nenana in 2009.
The landowners claim in the lawsuit that fire managers failed to adequately mopup the fire following some rains, and the fire later flared up, burning vegetation on their property which decreased the value. The lawsuit says firefighters lit a backfire on their property in order to stop the fire’s spread.
This brings to mind Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg’s lawsuit against the Billings Fire Department over the loss of trees and ground cover on his property during an 1,100-acre fire in 2008.
The 747 Supertanker made it’s first drop on an actual fire in North America on the Railbelt Complex.
Here is an article on Wildfire Today containing a video of an aerially-ignited firing operation on the Railbelt Complex.
too bad the state couldnt counter sue for lack of fuels management on their properties, thus necessitating the counter firing operations to stop the fire. might they be happier if firefighters didnt try to limit the spread of the fire and let it burn their structures and possessions instead?