Rapid City couple seeks $346K for fire damage
KCAU-TV, April 4, 2009 [here]
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A Rapid City couple is suing the federal government for $346,056 for damage caused by a 2006 fire that was set to burn forest debris - something crews plan to do this weekend in the Black Hills.
Richard and Janet Wipf filed the complaint in federal court in Rapid City, where they own 121 acres in the foothills and mountains south of town.
According to the complaint, employees of the U.S. Forest Service lit about 6,700 slash piles in February 2006, which is done to eliminate needles, limbs and tree tops.
The lawsuit accuses the workers of not preparing the piles and surrounding land properly and not monitoring the fires closely enough, which led to a fire and related damage that reduced the value of the couple’s house and property.