Forest Service Beats $33 Million Suit Over Oregon Fire Response

The US Forest Service avoided a $33 million suit brought by timber companies after a federal court in Oregon ruled that the agency’s response to the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire was a discretionary action shielded from tort claims.

Contrary to the companies’ assertions, the agency’s decision directing a full suppression of the fire left plenty of room for firefighters to make risk management judgments, and there was no evidence the USFS let the fire burn for natural resource purposes, the US District Court for the District of Oregon held Dec. 6.

Freres Timber Inc. and Freres Lumber Co. alleged the ...