Yarnell Hill Fire Damage Claims Seek $662M

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More than 100 damage claims seeking a total of $662 million have been filed by Arizona property owners and relatives of firefighters who died in the Yarnell Hill fire.

The Daily Courier reports that 91 property owners filed claims and that 17 additional claims were filed by relatives of Granite Mountain Hotshots who perished June 30.

A set of three memorial boards dedicated to the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots has been posted at the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Overlook, established adjacent to Hwy 89 in Yarnell. Credit: SWIMT

The claims are precursors to possible lawsuits. They were filed against various entities, including the state, local governments and the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System.

The claims allege mistakes by firefighting managers and refer frequently to a workplace safety report that resulted in citations against the State Forestry Division, which is contesting the citations.

State law gives claimants 180 days from the “cause of action” to file a notice of claim.