Fire investigation wraps soon, cost recovery possible

COEUR d’ALENE — State fire officials are wrapping up the investigation of the Cape Horn Wildfire that burned more than 1,300 acres this summer, and may try to recover firefighting expenses.

According to Emily Callihan, communications officer for Idaho Department of Lands, the investigative report may not be complete for another month or two, but the state is looking at recovering some of the cost of fighting the Cape Horn and Municipal Complex fires.

“The Cape Horn Fire report won’t be released to the public for at least a month, and maybe two,” she said, explaining the state is still waiting for lab results on items related to the origin of the fire. “Obviously we know there is a lot of interest in this, so when we complete the report we will plan to have some sort of press conference.”

She said the Idaho Land Board met on Tuesday in executive session to discuss possible litigation related to two major fires in Idaho.

While she could not comment on what was discussed in executive session, she did confirm the state is considering cost recovery.

“There is discussion of cost recovery and stuff like that for the Cape Horn Fire and the Municipal Fire,” she said.

The Municipal Complex fire burned more than 6,700 acres near Kamiah this summer.

The Cape Horn Fire started near Bayview on July 5 and took nearly a month to get under control.

While there has been speculation based on social media videos and pictures depicting the early stages of the fire and campers or boaters near what is believed to be the origin of the fire, fire officials have yet to confirm the cause of the fire.