YAKIMA, Wash. - A Yakima Valley orchard owner says he suffered about $50,000 in damage when firefighting pilots missed a wildfire in July and dropped retardant on his trees.

Rene Garcia of Cowiche (cow-ICH'-ee) filed a claim with the state Department of Natural Resources.

KAPP-TV reports the state contracted with the Forest Service for the firefighters plane so Garcia may have to take his claim to the federal level.

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Information from: KAPP-TV, http://www.kapptv.com/


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