August 23, 2024 - LOS ANGELES – The United States on Thursday filed a lawsuit alleging that the South Fire – which burned hundreds of acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in the summer of 2021 – was caused by an Upland-based grading, concrete, and pipeline contracting company’s negligent operation of an excavator in a rocky area.

The lawsuit filed in United States District Court alleges that Garrett J. Gentry General Engineering Inc. and its owner, Garrett J. Gentry, were negligent by starting the fire and failing to prevent it from spreading. As a result, they are liable for damages sustained by the United States during the fire, the lawsuit alleges.

The United States Forest Service sustained fire suppression costs more than $2.2 million, according to the complaint.

“Investigators determined that the fire started when the steel treads of the excavator, operated by Gentry Engineering and Gentry, contacted rocks, causing ignition of fuel, such as dry vegetation,” the lawsuit states. “Gentry Engineering and Gentry were aware of the danger of a rock strike by the excavator and failed to take action to prevent a fire.”

The wildfire started on August 25, 2021, and ultimately destroyed residences and structures and resulted in evacuation of residences. The fire burned more than 680 acres, including 450 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest.

This matter is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Quist of the Civil Division’s Complex and Defensive Litigation Section.
Source: DOJ Release