State v. Canyon Lumber Corp.

This is an action brought by the state of Washington to recover $105,068.19 (forest fire-fighting costs), incurred by the division of forestry in suppressing a six-thousand-acre forest fire which occurred in Whatcom county, Washington, in September, 1951. The action, as pleaded in appellant’s original and first-amended complaint, was based upon slash responsibility, as imposed by Laws of 1951, chapter 235, § 1, p. 742 [cf. RCW 76.04.370], which reads as follows:

“Removal of Slash in Forested Areas.

“An Act relative to the liability of persons responsible for slash in forested area; and amending…