Settlement reached in Brush Mountain fire investigation

GRAND JUNCTION, CO— On July 8, 2003, interagency firefighters responded to the Brush Mountain Fire that, when finally controlled, consumed a total of 5,292 acres of both private property and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. On May 22, 2006, the BLM reached a settlement agreement with the Colorado Nature Ranch, Inc./Colorado Nature Ranch, LP. A BLM fire investigation team found that the fire originated on ranch property.

“The public needs to realize that they will be held responsible if a fire originates from their property,” BLM Special Agent in Charge John Silence said. “Because of our dry conditions, it is critical for everyone to pay attention to fire bans. Anyone who chooses to be careless and disregard the fire restrictions will face severe penalties.”

The settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Kurt Bohn with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado. BLM will receive a payment of $115,000 from Colorado Nature Ranch for reimbursement of wildland firefighting suppression costs. The Brush Creek Fire was located in northwest Colorado, 30 miles northeast of Grand Junction in Garfield County, and 15 miles north of the town of De Beque.

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