DNR Files Suit Against Auvil Over 2016 Wildfire

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is suing Auvil Fruit saying the produce company's careless welding caused the Foothills Fire last year which consumed more than 150 acres of DNR land in North Central Washington.  According to the Wenatchee World, the suit filed in Douglas County seeks payment for the costs of fighting the fire and property damages.

The fire began broke out in August about 13 miles north of Orondo though no cause was reported until now.  DNR claims two workers welding anchor brackets to install bird netting over a cherry orchard owned by Auvil caused the fire.  The suit claims the welding crew left the area and returned to find a fire where they had been welding and they couldn't put it out.

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