Mormon Church Named as Defendant in Forest Fire Lawsuit

By Brian Vargo

Published on July 22, 2005

The fire began at the East Fork of the Bear River Boy Scout Camp 60 miles east of Salt lake City, Utah. 20 boys, ages 11 to 14, were left to camp over night with out supervision, a direct violation of Boy Scouts rules for overnight trips. Fire restrictions had been in effect at the campsite for over a week when the boys built fires on top of thick ground cover consisting of dead brush and leaves.

The Boy Scouts claim that they are not responsible for the fire, citing all terrain vehicles in the park as a possible cause. Park enforcement has said that there were no ATVs in the area at the time.

The lawsuit is supported by Utah law, which requires those who start fires to pay for the expense of fighting the fires and reclaiming land. Thus, the Justice department is seeking $13.3 million and the state attorney general's office is asking for $606,000 to cover fire-fighting costs.

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