Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has been linked with causing hundreds of fires in California, including the Camp Fire, reportedly the most severe wildfire in state history.

PGE Wildfire

The history of the company’s wildfire problems goes back years, but it gained notice in 2017 and 2018 in particular.

According to the United States Census Bureau, “the 2018 wildfire season was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record in California.” That year, a total of 8,527 fires collectively burned 1,893,913 acres. That’s nearly 2 percent of the entire state, and the largest burned area recorded in a single fire season.

California has had a long history of wildfires. In recent years, PGE has been linked with hundreds of them, including 2018’s deadly Camp Fire. And between June 2014 and December 2017, according to The Wall Street Journal, more than 1,500 wildfires were linked to the utility’s power lines and equipment.

Those affected by these fires may be able to pursue compensation.

Who is PGE?

Pacific Gas and Electric is a major utility company with headquarters in San Francisco and provides utilities to the majority of northern California. The company was founded more than a century ago, in 1905, and has grown to service some 5.2 million households, though it is not the only major utility company in the state.

PGE Wildfire Claims

At the beginning of 2019, in response to facing billions of dollars in liability for a number of these major wildfires, PGE filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Californians affected by PGE wildfires are filing claims against the company. PGE claims allege the utility giant is responsible for destruction to homes and property, and in some cases, personal injuries or even fatalities. (According to reports, at least 85 people died in the Camp Fire alone.)

Other PGE claims note that Californians should not have to choose between facing deadly, destructive fires or power shutoffs that last for days.

What Should Have Been Done?

One of the major steps that experts say PGE should have taken is regularly trimming trees to prevent dry vegetation from catching fire after rubbing against high-voltage wires.

Investment in better, safer equipment could also prevent damage. According to a report by the New York Times, the Camp Fire was started by a 25-year-old transmission tower, which was too old even by the company’s own standards.

Other hardware upgrades could include replacing wood poles with less-flammable materials and upgrading high-voltage wires with insulation.

Not only should the company invest in newer, safer equipment, experts say, it should also conduct more thorough monitoring of its equipment, such as by installing high definition cameras and weather stations.

The company is also now being required to submit an annual wildfire prevention plan—something other major California utility companies had already been required to do.

Ultimately, many PGE critics maintain that the utility giant should not have prioritized company profit over everything else, including the safety of Californians. A 2017 report by an independent consulting agency found that PGE’s safety strategy and communication regarding safety were both lacking and that its willingness to act was reserved for responses to major disasters.

On Feb. 18, 2020, the president of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a statement about PGE’s proposed bankruptcy plan.

“I am very concerned about PG&E’s pattern of safety-related failures,” CPUC President Marybel Batjer said in her statement. “These failures were most recently exemplified by its management of last October’s Public Safety Power Shut-off events, which raises questions about its ability to effectively plan and execute on decisions and actions within its control. Most importantly, it raises questions about how well this utility understands the privilege it has been given and its commitment to following through on its responsibilities.”

PGE Wildfire Lawsuit

If you have been affected by a PGE wildfire, even if you have already received compensation from homeowners insurance or another claim, you may be entitled to additional compensation.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially in the wake of something as devastating as a wildfire and the damage that comes along with it, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney.

Consulting an experienced attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation. Even if you have already received compensation, you may not have yet received all the compensation you’re actually due.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.