Local fire board member questions County Fire Authority’s reliance on Cal Fire in wake or ruling

By Miriam Raftery

A Superior Court judge has fined Cal Fire $32 million  to cover legal bills for Sierra Pacific Industries after Cal Fire blamed a logger working for the company of causing a 2007 wildfire in Plumas County.  Judge Leslie Nichols accused Cal Fire of “egregious and reprehensible conduct” including covering up evidence, lying, and engaging in “corrupt and tainted actions.”

Cal Fire had sought to recover its firefighting costs.  But the case against Sierra Pacific was dismissed in July  for lack of evidence and last week, the judge announced sanctions against Cal Fire.