San Bernardino County-Based Company and Owner Pay $2.5 Million to Settle Allegations They Caused Wildfire to Ignite

LOS ANGELES - An Upland-based grading, concrete, and pipeline contracting company and its owner have paid $2.5 million to resolve claims brought by the United States to recover wildfire suppression costs stemming from the South Fire, which burned hundreds of acres in the San Bernardino National Forest during the summer of 2021, the Justice Department announced today.

Garrett John Gentry and his company, Garrett J. Gentry General Engineering Inc. paid the settlement amount, resulting in the court dismissing the lawsuit on January 22.

The South Fire ignited on August 25, 2021, in San Bernardino County. The United States alleged that the fire was caused by the negligent operation of an excavator by the defendants. According to the complaint, the steel treads of the excavator struck rocks in a rocky area, generating sparks that ignited dry vegetation.

The wildfire destroyed residences and other structures, resulted in evacuations, and ultimately burned more than 680 acres, including approximately 450 acres of National Forest System land within the San Bernardino National Forest.

The United States Forest Service sustained fire suppression costs exceeding $2.2 million, the complaint alleges.

"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 lawsuit alleges.

The settlement resolves all civil claims asserted by the United States and does not constitute an admission of liability.

The case, United States of America v. Garrett J. Gentry General Engineering, Inc., et al., No. 2:24-cv-07136-CAS-BFM, was litigated by Assistant United States Attorney Trent K. Fujii of the Complex and Defensive Litigation Section.