California wildfires News

Judge Sees ‘Clear-Cut Pattern’ of PG&E Causing Fires

A federal judge who has been critical of PG&E Corp.’s safety record said the utility has a “clear-cut pattern” of starting fires. U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup is overseeing PG&E’s probation for safety violations that led to felony convictions …

PG&E Files for Bankruptcy Amid Wildfire Lawsuits

The largest utility in the U.S., Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., filed for bankruptcy Tuesday as it faces billions of dollars in potential damages from wildfires in California. The utility filed documents in a U.S. court seeking Chapter 11 reorganization …

PG&E Says Judge’s Proposals for Fire Risk Mitigation Could Cost up to $150B

Proposals by a U.S. judge to prevent Pacific Gas & Electric Co. equipment from causing more wildfires would endanger lives, could cost as much as $150 billion and would interfere with the work of federal and state regulators, the utility …

Travelers Seeks Higher Premiums Due to Deadly California Wildfires

California’s deadly wildfires are raising the specter of higher insurance premiums for homeowners in the state. After “two significant years in a row of losses, I think the discussion and the debate about the environment is pretty broad and pretty …

Government Shutdown Stalls Wildfire Preparations

Just two months after a wildfire wiped out Paradise, California, officials are gearing up for this year’s fire season and fear the government shutdown could make it even more difficult than one of the worst in history. The winter months …

Wildfire Investments, 911 Fee Proposed by California Governor

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday pledged fresh investments to prevent, fight and escape wildfires, including millions to help local governments improve their communication during emergencies and a fee to fund an update for the state’s 911 system. Newsom outlined …

California Wildfire Aid Could Be Halted

President Donald Trump, who has blamed California’s forest management for last year’s disastrous fires, threatened to halt the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s assistance to victims unless that state changes its practices. “Billions of dollars are sent to the State of …

California Utility Sued by Insurers Over Wildfire Damages

Several insurance companies have filed lawsuits blaming Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for a deadly California wildfire that destroyed 14,000 homes and triggered billions of dollars in insurance claims. The lawsuits filed by Allstate, State Farm, USAA and their subsidiaries …

Wildfire Recovery Contractor Fired by California Utility

A Northern California utility on Monday said it terminated one of its contractors helping with wildfire recovery after three workers posted on social media insensitive photos and comments poking fun at victims and the region. Pacific Gas & Electric said …

Report Says 2016 California Wildfire Fight too Costly

When a wildfire burned across Big Sur two years ago and threatened hundreds of homes scattered on the scenic hills, thousands of firefighters responded with overwhelming force, attacking flames from the air and ground. In the first week, the blaze …