SALT LAKE CITY – Jayson Ross Orvis of Bountiful has agreed to pay $395,914 to settle a civil claim brought by the United States for costs to fight a fire that occurred on August 29, 2017, U.S. Attorney John W. Huber announced today.

The settlement includes a $14,123 payment for environmental remediation costs associated with multiple encroachments on U.S. Forest Service property in addition to the fire damage.

This settlement is neither an admission of liability by Orvis nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.

“This settlement fully compensates the public for the expense of fighting the fire and restoring these public lands,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said today.

The fire, known as the “Bountiful Fire,” started Aug. 29, 2017, on Orvis’ Bountiful Bench Hillside Hollow Circle property and quickly spread to the adjacent Salt Lake Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

The fire was caused by sparks emitted from a power grinder used by James Golden, who was hired by Mr. Orvis to do work on his property.

Additionally, Orvis has forfeited $560 for two Forest Service violations that prohibit constructing, placing and maintaining structures without a permit on national forest land. During the fire investigation, it was determined that Orvis had placed a shooting pavilion and an outfitter tent on the national forest land. Golden also forfeited $280 for a violation for carelessly and negligently placing an ignited substance that may cause a fire. The criminal Information in this matter has been dismissed.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/settlement-reached-uinta-wasatch-cache-national-forest-fire-known-bountiful-fire