SPI to pay $122 million for Moonlight Fire

Dan McDonald

Staff Writer

7/17/2012

Sierra Pacific Industries has agreed to pay the federal government about $122 million for damages caused by the 2007 Moonlight Fire.

The settlement, believed to be the largest amount ever recovered by the U.S. government for damages caused by a forest fire, was announced by the Department of Justice on Tuesday, July 17.

According to the terms of the settlement, SPI will pay $55 million in cash and turn over 22,500 acres of land.

The land is reported to be worth at least $3,000 per acre, or approximately $67.5 million.

The U.S. Forest Service will choose the land at its sole discretion from large selections offered by Sierra Pacific.

The government was seeking $700 million in damages from SPI for the 2007 Moonlight Fire.

In a July 9 memo to employees, SPI owners Red, George and Mark Emmerson said they still believe neither SPI nor its contractors started the fire. They said they decided to settle because a judge said they could still be held responsible.

A jury trial in the case had been scheduled to begin on July 9 in Sacramento.

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-16#1Settlement — Me2012-07-17 14:53

IS THAT IT!???! It probably cost more to fight the fire than what the settlement is for! What a joke!!

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-11#2Settlement — Bill2012-07-18 12:08

I am sure SPI got a better deal than they would have in court, hence the settlement. Someone should sue them for all the oil that they spill from their forklifts at the Quincy site. It is everywhere and seeps into our groundwater. Disgusting.Wonder if the family of the dead RedBluff logger will sue.

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+6#3RE: SPI to pay $122 million for Moonlight Fire — watched it grow2012-07-22 13:12

The Forest Service was responsible for this fire getting out of control. Their initial response was completely inadequate! I am sorry that SPI felt that they had to settle, but I am sure it is difficult to fight the Federal Government. Sadly, this is one of the few industries left in this county.

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