HEMPHILL COUNTY – The Harrison Davis Morrison Jones firm has announced the filing of a lawsuit in Hemphill County on behalf of rancher Pete Bonds and his family over the catastrophic damages inflicted by the Smokehouse Creek Fire on the Bonds Ranch, a press release states.
The legal action targets Xcel Energy Services, Inc., Southwestern Public Service Company (dba Xcel Energy), and Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.
According to the press release, Bonds, a figure synonymous with Texas ranching heritage and a former president of the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association as well as a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, has suffered immense losses due to the wildfire. The blaze, which was triggered by a snapped utility pole resulting in energized utility lines igniting the ground, led to the death and injury of hundreds of cows and calves.
The lawsuit emphasizes the need for accountability, as Bonds says, “if those responsible for causing fires are not held accountable, this will happen again and again.”
Representing Bonds in the case are attorneys Steve Harrison, Bryan Harrison, Zona Jones of Harrison Davis Morrison Jones, and attorney Chad Lee of Ft. Worth. Notably, each of those lawyers are ranchers themselves.
Harrison, attorney for Bonds and partner at Harrison Davis, highlighted the broader context of their efforts, noting, “Our firm is currently handling fire cases for ranchers across multiple counties, involving six different wildfires across the State of Texas.”
This lawsuit represents a critical fight not only for the Bonds family but for the wider ranching community affected by similar tragedies, the press release states.