Wyoming Ranchers Sue Over Fire Touched Off By Colorado Guard

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A southeast Wyoming couple says a 2012 wildfire touched off by Colorado Army National Guard troops training in the state caused more than $6 million worth of damage to their ranch.

In a federal lawsuit filed Monday, Bulls Bend Ranch owners Kevin and Susan Rothschild demand compensation from the Colorado Army National Guard, the Wyoming Military Department and others, K2 Radio reported.

Wyoming's adjutant general has said military training caused the 22-square-mile Sawmill Canyon fire. It erupted at Camp Guernsey as the Colorado troops trained with explosives.

Bans on open fires and fireworks had been in place in parts of Wyoming at the time because of drought, but the National Weather Service had issued no warnings for extreme fire conditions in the Sawmill Canyon area that weekend.

Capt. Darin Overstreet, a spokesman for the Colorado Guard, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Guard could not comment because litigation was pending. The Wyoming Military Department referred queries to Wyoming Attorney General Peter Michael, who said in an email to AP on Tuesday that he would not comment at this early stage.

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