Lawsuits seek $1 billion from power company following Beachie Creek Fire
Fire continued to smolder in the Santiam Canyon on Saturday, Sept. 19, despite a heavy rainstorm days earlier. The Beachie Creek Fire, which covered more than 190,000 acres, was expected to burn until heavy winter rains arrive. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Two lawsuits filed in Marion County Circuit Court Wednesday are seeking more than $1 billion in damages from Pacific Power over its actions leading up to last year’s devastating Beachie Creek Fire.
The lawsuits, filed on behalf of 100 victims of the blaze, allege that parent company PacifiCorp failed to safely design, operate and maintain infrastructure that led to the fire that destroyed thousands of homes in the Santiam Canyon.
The lawsuits further allege that PacifiCorp failed to pay attention to warnings by the National Weather Service about the impending “historic” winds and dry conditions.
PacifiCorp didn’t immediately respond to a call seeking comment Wednesday afternoon.
Law firms Edelson PC and Johnson Johnson Lucas and Middleton filed the complaint. Edelson PC helped secure a $13.5 billion settlement in the PG&E bankruptcy in northern California following the 2018 wildfires.
-Saphara Harrell
