Forest fire earns $750,000 fine

 A FOREST FIRE that  caused a national blackout 10 years ago has led to an  $750,000  fine for an electrical distribution company.

The Public Services Authority levied the fine on  Edemet for violations that caused the  fire in 2006.

The fines were levied due to a lack of pruning of trees around wires and a failure to maintain areas where the company has easements.

The agency ruled that this lack of maintenance caused a national blackout on March 4, 2006, which was caused by a forest fire that began near the substation in Cáceres, Arraijan.

The company has sought to overturn the authority’s decision on several occasions, presenting several legal remedies before the Supreme Court.

But those remedies have now been exhausted reports La Prensa.