$2.5 Million Settlement Reached Following 680-Acre South Fire In IE

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — An Upland-based grading, concrete, and pipeline contracting company and its owner agreed to pay $2.5 million for its alleged role in starting a 680-acre wildfire that destroyed homes and other structures in San Bernardino County, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

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 DOJ reported.

The South Fire, which ignited on August 25, 2021, was caused by the company's negligent operation of an excavator, according to federal prosecutors. The excavator's steel treads struck rocks, generating sparks that ignited dry vegetation, the complaint stated.

“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 alleged.

Nine structures, including residential and commercial buildings, were destroyed, and 28 others were damaged, according to Cal Fire. There were no injuries or fatalities.

The fire began north of Glen Helen Parkway and east of Sierra Avenue and Lytle Creek Road, just west of the 15 Freeway. The lawsuit alleges the fire originated at a property at 4053 Lytle Creek Road in Fontana.

The wildfire forced evacuations and ultimately burned more than 680 acres, including approximately 450 acres of National Forest System land within the San Bernardino National Forest.

Over eight days, 275 firefighters battled the South Fire, which was contained on Sept. 2.

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