SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is suing Inland Northwest Power and Light over the 2023 Gray Fire that destroyed hundreds of homes.
The Gray Fire started on August 18, 2023. It killed one person and destroyed over 240 homes in the Medical Lake area.
According to the lawsuit, DNR investigators traced the origin of the fire to a faulty yard light near Medical Lake owned by Inland Power. DNR alleges that the company knew about the light and failed to keep it in working order.
DNR claims it spent around $3.5 million fighting the fire. The lawsuit states DNR submitted a demand to Inland Power for reimbursement of $935,899.53. DNR claimed Inland Power refused to pay the reimbursement amount.
In the lawsuit, DNR is now demanding Inland Power pay the cost of fighting the fire along with attorney fees and court costs.
Inland Power previously denied responsibility for the Gray Fire and is currently facing multiple lawsuits.
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