OLYMPIA, Wash. — Dozens of central Washington homeowners have filed tort claims alleging that the state of Washington mishandled firefighting efforts during this summer’s Carlton Complex fire.
KING-TV reported that the claims by 65 property owners target the agency that led the firefighting effort: the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Brewster lawyer Alex Thomason told KING 5 that he represents moms and pops, cattle ranchers, apple farmers and business owners.
The claims accuse the department of negligence for failing to protect the properties from the wildfires. Thomason says from the very beginning, the department stood by and did nothing. He says they just let the fire grow and grow.
A department spokesman says the agency has not seen the claims and can’t comment on pending legal matters.
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