Jack Welch, Arson, California 2016

Fresno, CA – Wildfire Arsonist Agrees to Pay $950,000 in Settlement

Fresno, CA – Mariposa County resident John ‘Jack’ Welch has agreed to pay $950,000 to settle a claim by the United States against him for damages resulting from a 2016 wildfire that burned nearly 100 acres of National Forest land, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today.

According to the settlement, federal investigators concluded that Welch ignited the fire, known as the ‘Old Fire,’ on Sept. 13, 2016, while using an excessively worn chainsaw on his property in a high fire hazard area located off Old Yosemite Road in Mariposa County. It was a windy day and the fire spread quickly, burning approximately 100 acres, including 95 acres of land within the Stanislaus National Forest.

The $950,000 settlement was reached to compensate for the damages resulting from the fire, which was extinguished with the help of the USDA Forest Service at a cost of nearly $1.3 million.

Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert stated that the people of the Eastern District have endured more than their fair share of wildfires and that this office will continue to pursue individuals and corporations who negligently start these fires accountable.

Region 5 Regional Forester Randy Moore expressed gratitude for the settlement, stating that it will help restore damage to the landscape in Stanislaus National Forest and fund continued firefighting resources to keep forest communities safe.

The settlement is not an admission of any negligence, wrongful conduct, or liability.

Since 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California has secured settlements in more than 30 different cases involving wildfire damage to federal lands, with total settlements valued at more than $300 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey D. Wilson handled the case.

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