FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
February 17, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Mono County homeowners Jonathan and Penny Bourne have paid the United States $1 million for damages related to a fire they set that scorched more than 7,000 acres of National Forest Systems lands.

The “Sawmill Fire” ignited on September 14, 2006 and burned approximately 7,435 acres of land in the Inyo National Forest – 5,970 of which was controlled by the United States Forest Service, 1,138 controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, and 326 was privately owned. The United States alleged that the fire ignited after the Bournes burned brush in a fire pit on their private property that was improperly extinguished and resulted in embers blowing into dry fuel. The United States incurred more than $1 million in fire suppression costs alone.

This recovery is the most recent in the government’s continued efforts to hold individuals and companies accountable for activities that jeopardize and damage the National Forests. “These are cherished resources, particularly in California,” Mr. Wagner said. “I think all Californians take pride in their public lands, and it is our obligation to protect them as best we can.”

This case was litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Elias.

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