Cal Fire blames huge blaze on PG&E

5 counties affected; historic Gold Rush town of Greenville leveled

REDDING, Calif. – California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials have concluded that a destructive fire last summer was started by electrical lines owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

The fire, which started July 13, went on to become the second-largest single fire in state history, burning 963,309 acres. The fire started in the Feather River Canyon southeast of Chico.

The fire leveled the historic Gold Rush-era town of Greenville in Plumas County and threatened other mountain communities. It destroyed 1,329 structures in five northern counties, including Shasta and Tehama.

Firefighters announced 100% containment of the blaze on Oct. 25.

It is the latest in a string of blazes Cal Fire has blamed on the utility. Cal Fire said PG&E equipment was at fault for starting a 2018 blaze in Butte County that killed 85 people and destroyed most of the town of Paradise.

PG&E has also been charged with manslaughter in the deaths of four Shasta County residents who died during a 2020 wildfire.

Cal Fire said the Dixie Fire was started when a tree came in contact with a PG&E distribution line.

While Cal Fire released its findings about last summer’s fire on Tuesday, PG&E filed paperwork with the California Public Utilities Commission last summer stating that its equipment may have ignited the blaze.

The fire forced the evacuation of thousands of residents in Plumas, Butte, Lassen, Tehama and Shasta counties. Firefighters fought the blaze for more than three months before finally declaring it contained in October.

Also that month, federal and state officials estimated they had spent some $630 million fighting the fire.