Air Force to pay more for N.J. forest fire

Air Force to pay more for N.J. forest fire
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Jan 10, 2008 12:29:34 EST

A May forest fire, started by an F-16 practicing at a gunnery range maintained by McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., will cost the Air Force an additional $300,000 in compensation to local towns and emergency responders.

The Air Force, which has already paid out roughly $2 million in private property claims and related losses, will also compensate municipalities for vehicle fuel, police overtime and the expense of temporary shelter for residents at local schools. Five homes were lost to the blaze, and an estimated 6,000 residents were displaced during the evacuations. The Air Force says it’s paying all direct costs associated with putting out the fire.

Flames destroyed homes, forced evacuations and burned more than 17,000 acres of Pinelands. The region is roughly 40 miles north of Atlantic City along New Jersey’s coast.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/01/airforce_forest_fire_080110w/