PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Roughly six months after it roared to life and blackened the Santiam Canyon, there are still lingering questions about what, exactly, led to the Beachie Creek firestorm.
The fire was first reported August 16, 2020. But, it is the historic windstorm on September 7 that turned it into a monster that destroyed 470 homes, burned more than 190,000 acres and claimed the lives of at least five people.
Last week, two lawsuits seeking $1.5 billion were filed on behalf of more than 100 people who lost homes, property, and businesses thanks to the fire.
Attorney Chris Dore stops by the KOIN Podcast Network to explain the lawsuits that accuse Pacific Power of ignoring weather forecasts and directly contributing to the severity of the fire.
You’ll also hear from Rickey Thomas who, along with his wife, barely escaped the wall of fire that destroyed their dream home.