Sockeye fire trial begins in Palmer

PALMER — An expected two-week jury trial for Greg Imig and Amy DeWitt, the couple accused of causing the late spring of 2015 Sockeye fire near Willow, began Thursday in Palmer District Court.

The Anchorage couple, along with about two-dozen people sat before judge David Zwink as opening statements were made by Palmer assistant district attorney Eric Senta and defense attorney Kevin Fitzgerald. Many in the audience were Willow area residents who lost their homes, possessions, and domesticated animals in the fire.

Senta told jurors that, among other faults, the defendants were reckless in starting several burn piles on their property. Senta alleged the couple had an inadequate water supply on-hand, didn’t clear the burn areas properly and constructed the burn piles in bad locations.

Senta also told the jury that both left the fire unattended. He stated that even though the couple thought the blaze was out prior to retiring on the evening of June 13, it continued smoldering under the blanket of dead leaves and other debris compacted by winter snow.

Taking his turn at the jury, Fitzgerald stated the state’s allegations were not consistent with available evidence and what he termed common sense. He denied the couple’s burn piles were the blaze’s cause. Fitzgerald said the couple had indeed monitored their burn piles that evening and had no reason to believe the fire would spread. The defense stated the pair called 911 numerous times and were told to get everyone out of the area. Both heeded the suggestion and returned to their Anchorage home.

The blaze was reported June 14 and by the following morning, had grown to more than 6,500 acres forcing Gov. Bill Walker to declare a state of emergency that day. Overnight, the blaze had destroyed about 45 homes. Mandatory evacuation of an estimated 1,700 residents between miles 69-77 of the Parks Highway, which officials closed at times, followed. Firefighters statewide were called to the scene. Additional wildfire support was called in from the Lower 48.

Alaska Department of Forestry personnel patrolled the area for about four weeks snuffing persistent hot spots and remained on scene for a total of six weeks. A total of more than 100 structures, including 55 homes--many primary homes, were consumed. Costs to fight the blaze are estimated at more than $8 million.

Both DeWitt and Imig face 12 counts misdemeanor charges each including allowing a fire to spread, reckless endangerment, criminally negligent burning, burning without clearing an area, and burning without a permit.

The trial is expected to continue next week.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 252-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com