Latest news with #CowCreekFire
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hunting outfitter to pay $500K to resolve allegations of fault in wildfire ignition
DENVER (KDVR) — A hunting outfitter based out of San Miguel County agreed to pay $500,000 to settle allegations it may have been liable for the ignition of the Cow Creek Fire. The fire burned approximately 850 acres of the Uncompahgre National Forest in October 2019. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, the Cow Creek Fire was started by a wood-burning stove inside a wall tent in the Green Mountain Camp, which is owned by a business affiliate of Jackson Outfitters, LLC., which is the hunting outfitter named in the allegations. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Cow Creek Fire started at Green Mountain Camp when embers and other materials exited a wood-burning stove's stovepipe and landed on dry vegetation, which ignited. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleged that Jackson Outfitters failed to ensure the wood-burning stove had a functional and properly installed spark arrestor. Douglas County Sheriff's Office IDs man shot, killed by deputy after Main Event shooting The U.S. alleged that at the time the fire started, the Green Mountain Camp had a party there who had booked a self-guided elk hunt. Jackson Outfitters operates its business in the national forest under a special use permit, which says the outfitting company 'has an affirmative duty to protect the land, property, and other interests of the United States—including fire suppression costs—from damage,' according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado. 'Outfitters must ensure that the equipment they use in National Forests is safe and protects public lands for all of us,' said Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. 'We appreciate that this resolution was cooperative and reimburses the United States for costs incurred in fighting the fire.' By settling the matter, Jackson Outfitters did not admit to any liability. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Settlement reached in Cow Creek Wildfire
PLACERVILLE, Colo. (KREX) — A settlement has been reached between the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA) and family owned and operated business Jackson Outfitters in regard to the Cow Creek Fire that happened October 2019 in the Uncompahgre National Forest. A settlement of $500,000 was reached for the 850-acre wildfire after Jackson Outfitters hired an independent fire investigator to back the claim of four self-guided elk hunters from Wisconsin, who were using the company's services. The hunters, whose camp included a wall tent, woodstove, stovepipe, spark arrestor, dome tent, propane heaters, cots, chairs and other items, claim they had spotted the fire roughly 300 yards uphill from their campsite and that it could have emanated from two other groups of hunters that were in the area. The USDA Forest Service originally served the company a notice of indebtedness, demanding they pay just over $2.2 million. Jackson Outfitters, using evidence from its independent investigation, and wanting to continue to operate in the Uncompahgre National Forest agreed to settle the case for $500,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hunting Outfitter pays $500K to resolve allegations in Ouray County fire
OURAY COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) — A hunting outfitter agreed to pay half a million dollars to resolve allegations that it's liable for igniting a wildland fire. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announced Wednesday that Jackson Outfitters, LLC, – out of Placerville – will pay $500,000 concerning the Cow Creek Fire which burned 850 acres on the Uncompahgre National Forest in Ouray County in October 2019. Jackson Outfitters is not admitting liability in the fire but agreeing to settle this matter, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. The fire was allegedly started by a wood-burning stove inside a wall tent in the Green Mountain Camp – owned and operated by Cow Creek Outfitters, an affiliate of Jackson Outfitters. When the incident occurred, the camp was occupied by a party that booked a self-guided elk hunt through Cow Creek Outfitters, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Embers – that allegedly left the stovepipe attached to the wood-burning stove – landed on the ground and ignited dry vegetation. The U.S. Attorney's Office said. The wood-burning stove also allegedly did not have a functional, properly installed spark arrestor. 'Outfitters must ensure that the equipment they use in national forests is safe and protects public lands for all of us,' acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell said in the release. 'We appreciate that this resolution was cooperative and reimburses the United States for costs incurred in fighting the fire.' Jackson Outfitters operates in the national forest under a special use permit that says the business has a duty to protect U.S. land and property from damage which includes fire suppression costs. The U.S. suffered 'significant' costs fighting the blaze, the attorney's office said. The matter was investigated by U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
