Local View: Hold those who cause wildfires liable for the damage

Local View: Hold those who cause wildfires liable for the damage

On the evening of July 6, a lightning storm crossed the northeastern corner of Minnesota and started nearly 20 wildfires before sunrise. Within a few days, the Forest Service closed the entire Boundary Waters wilderness, and small businesses in Ely and Grand Marais lost summer tourist traffic they rely on to survive. We can’t prevent lightning strikes, but when faulty equipment, negligence, or human error starts a wildfire, we expect the respons…