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There may yet be criminal charges filed as a result of last summer’s Valley View fire. But it’s tough to say how soon – or if at all.
Last week, the Department of Natural Resources released its formal report on the incident, which is ruled to have been caused by a nonpermitted recreational fire on property adjacent to land owned by surgeon Traci Berg at 1915 S. Eastern Road. The fire, started by a 16-year-old acquaintance of Berg’s son, flared up around 3 p.m. on July 10, days after it was believed to be extinguished.
The report states that the high winds reignited the fire, which had burned into underground tree roots. Yard and forest debris, along with household trash had been burned at the location of the pit, which Berg has stated she believed was on her land.
The resulting blaze scorched 1,000 acres, took days to fight and resulted in the destruction of 12 homes in and around Dishman Hills. The resulting property damage and cost to control the fire cost millions of dollars.
The report was turned over to the state attorney general’s office and the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for evaluation and the possible filing of criminal charges. Also, the state attorney general’s office has the option of filing a case for civil damages.
At the very least, the fire was in violation of a June 30 burning ban on land within DNR’s jurisdiction – including the area of the fire pit where the blaze ignited, said Patty Henson, DNR spokeswoman.
“At the time of ignition, open burning outside of approve campfire pits was not permitted in Spokane County,” Henson said. However, even if the burn ban hadn’t been in place, a burn permit would have been needed.
While it’s unclear what either the attorney general or county prosecutor will decide, it’s Spokane Valley Fire Chief Mike Thompson’s personal opinion that the matter should be dropped.
“I don’t think, to be honest, that there was any malicious intent,” Thompson said. “The (campfires in that pit) had been an ongoing activity for several years. They had done it multiple times – but the conditions were right (on July 10) to spark the fire.”
Spokane Valley Mayor Richard Munson said the city doesn’t have any say – or influence – whether or not charges are filed.
“The vast majority of the fire was out of city limits,” Munson said. “It’s not up to us.”
Firefighters from DNR, the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8 were the main responders to the blaze. However, fire crews from across the western United States assisted in the suppression efforts.
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By
Mike Huffman
