Air Force officials are reviewing more than $200 million in claims stemming from the forest fire that destroyed 17,000 acres of the Pinelands in May.
The Air Force estimates it has paid approximately $2 million to reimburse residents for property damage and evacuation expenses.
One claim is for more than $197 million. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Melinda Davis-Perittano tells The Press of Atlantic City it will take a few months to investigate its legitimacy.
Officials determined the fire started when a National Guard pilot dropped flares too low, which ignited scrub pines surrounding the Warren Grove Gunnery Range in Little Egg harbor Township.
Flames destroyed four homes in two senior citizen housing developments, and damaged 37 others.
Some 6,000 people were forced to flee their homes.
Topics New Jersey
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
How One Fla. Insurance Agent Allegedly Used Another’s License to Swipe Commissions 
Preparing for an AI Native Future 
Florida Engineers: Winds Under 110 mph Simply Do Not Damage Concrete Tiles 
Insurance Issue Leaves Some Players Off World Baseball Classic Rosters 
