SPOKANE – Inland Power Company, the utility company implicated in the devastating 2023 Gray Fire, has formally denied responsibility for the fire that scorched thousands of acres, destroyed hundreds of homes, and claimed one life. This denial comes despite a recent investigation by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that concluded the company was at fault, according to KXLY-TV. The fire started near Medical Lake around 12:27 p.m. on August 18, 2023. By September 1, 2023, it had scorched 10,085 acres. The fire destroyed 259 structures and tragically resulted in one confirmed death.