California 'burn bosses' set controlled forest fires. Should they be safe from lawsuits? Sacramento Bee 1 hr ago Ryan Sabalow and Dale Kasler, The Sacramento Bee Apr. 22—Across California, property owners and their "burn bosses" are setting fires. When the weather is cool, calm and wet enough, these planned forest fires are designed to clear overgrown vegetation that could accelerate a wildfire in dry months. They do this knowing they risk financial ruin from a lawsuit if something goes wrong. Now, Native American tribes, ranchers, timber companies and conservation groups are teaming up to reduce those liability risks in a battle that pits them against the state's powerful trial lawyers and insurance industries.