PG&E Power Lines Caused Four NorCal Wildfires, Investigators Determine

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) power lines caused four of the devastating wildfires that swept California’s North Bay last October, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) announced.

CAL FIRE’s investigations confirm what many suspected—that high winds caused trees and branches to fall onto PG&E power lines, causing sparks that ignited nearby vegetation.

PG&E Responsible for Fires that Burned More than 100 Structures

On May 25, California state fire investigators released a report which concluded that PG&E power lines caused the following four North Bay wildfires:

• La Porte Fire in Butte County: Burned 8,417 acres, 74 structures
• McCourtney Fire in Nevada County: Burned 76 acres, 13 structures
• Lobo Fire in Nevada County: Burned 821 acres, 47 structures
• Honey Fire in Butte County: Burned 76 acres

CAL FIRE's report accounts for 9,390 acres burned in October of last year. Investigations are still ongoing, as 170 fires burned a total of 245,000 acres in California’s North Bay. Two of those fires, the Atlas and Tubb fires, were the deadliest in California history, causing a combined 42 fatalities and destroying 7,000 structures.

In addition to attaching PG&E to the cause of these fires, investigators also believe they may have violated state laws. The Nevada and Butte County District Attorneys’ offices are now investigating PG&E's role in the McCourtney, Lobo, and Honey fires.

California Law Requires Utility Companies to Clear Vegetation from Power Lines

California law requires that utility companies maintain clearances between vegetation and power lines, especially in mountainous, forest-covered, or grass-covered lands prone to wildfires. If a tree or branch falls on a high-voltage power line, it can spark a fire.

PG&E was fined $8.3 million after investigators determined one of their power lines caused the 2015 Butte Fire.

These laws are in place for good reason. In 2015, power lines and electrical equipment were the leading cause of wildfires in California, burning 149,241 acres—more than double the acreage burned by any other wildfire cause. These fires were not only destructive, but cost millions of dollars to contain. In 2015, half of the entire U.S. Forest Service budget was devoted to fighting fires.

This isn't the first time that PG&E has faced liability for failing to properly maintain their electrical equipment. They were fined $8.3 million after investigators determined one of their power lines caused the 2015 Butte Fire in Amador County. That fire caused two fatalities and destroyed 549 homes.

PG&E Still Denies Responsibility

North Bay residents filed lawsuits alleging that improperly maintained PG&E infrastructure started the wildfires that destroyed their property or caused their injuries. Morgan & Morgan attorney Ben Wilson is on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for ongoing litigation against PG&E filed in the Superior Court of California.

"Cal Fire’s recent report should not be under emphasized or under appreciated."

“Cal Fire’s recent report finding PG&E’s power lines as the root of four fires should not be under emphasized or under appreciated. It is the first public report released by the state related to the cause of the fires,” said Wilson. “As it relates to the litigation against PG&E, this report (and the others to come) will certainly play a role in determining liability.”

So far, PG&E denies any wrongdoing or role in starting the fires. They released a statement after the CAL FIRE report was published that places the blame on Mother Nature. The company claimed that wildfires are the “new normal” and that the North Bay fires were caused by “years of drought, extreme heat and 129 million dead trees.”

We're Fighting to Hold PG&E Accountable

With experienced fire attorneys like Ben Wilson serving in leadership roles in the litigation against PG&E, our firm is uniquely situated to help victims pursue justice.

If your property was destroyed in the 2017 North Bay wildfires or you or a loved one were burned, you may be eligible for financial compensation to help you recover. Complete our online form for a free, no-obligation legal review.