Texas Utility, Oil and Gas Company Settle Wildfire Lawsuit

A lawsuit that alleged a Fort Worth-based oil company’s equipment sparked massive wildfires in the Panhandle in 2006 has been settled.

Xcel Energy sued Cano Petroleum in 2007, claiming Cano’s electrical wiring and equipment used in its oil and gas operations started a fire in March 2006 in Carson County.

The wildfires swept across nearly a million acres of parched prairie, killing 12.

Details of the settlement were not disclosed and a call to Cano officials seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Wes Reeves, spokesman for Xcel, which had sought about $2 million in damages in the case that was set to begin next month, said the company had no comment.

Information from Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, www.lubbockonline.com