HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.20.21 Press Release to be sent shortly_Redacted
From:McAfee-Bowersox, Miranda
Subject:Press Release to be sent shortly
Date:Wednesday, October 20, 2021 12:38:13 PM
Attachments:image002.jpg
Hello Board Members,
The below press release will be sent to the media shortly.
Miranda
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2021
CONTACT
Butte County Counsel Bruce Alpert
balpert@buttecounty.net
FIVE COUNTIES DAMAGED BY DIXIE FIRE SUE PG&E
The devastating Dixie Fire burned over 963,000 acres, killed at least one person, and destroyed or damaged over 1,400
structures.
OROVILLE, CA- On October 20, 2021, the counties of Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Shasta and Tehama filed a lawsuit against PG&E
for injuries and damages caused by the Dixie Fire, which started on July 13, 2021 and burned 963,276 acres throughout five
counties. Over 1,900 fire response personnel were called to battle the blaze that destroyed 1,329 structures, damaged 95
other structures, and killed at least one person. The fire started in Butte County, above the Cresta Dam in the Feather River
Canyon, but spread into all five counties during 95 days of active burning.
The lawsuit, which includes all five counties as co-plaintiffs, was filed today in San Francisco Superior Court, which has heard
the North Bay fire cases, Kincade Fire cases, and Zogg fire cases. The lawsuit demands legal damages for injuries to public
resources, natural resources, lost revenues, increased expenses, lost assets, injuries to infrastructure such as roads and
water systems, and other injuries and damages. The Dixie Fire is the largest non-complex fire in California history, and the
fire footprint is larger than Rhode Island. The lawsuit alleges PG&E equipment caused the fire.
“Butte County brings this action to recover public and natural resources lost, because PG&E failed to manage and maintain
its high voltage infrastructure,” said Butte County Counsel Bruce Alpert. Board of Supervisors Chair Bill Connelly noted,
“Unfortunately as local elected officials we have to again bring PG&E to task over a preventable fire.”
PG&E emerged from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in July 2020 and was called into federal court by Judge Alsup for questioning
regarding the cause and origin of the Dixie Fire. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is still
investigating the cause of the fire, but evidence points to PG&E’s equipment as the ignition source.
Butte County is represented by Butte County Counsel Bruce Alpert, and outside counsel John Fiske of Baron & Budd and Ed
Diab of Dixon Diab & Chambers, and Washington & Washington.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact Butte County Counsel Bruce Alpert, at balpert@buttecounty.net.
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Miranda Bowersox
Communications/Public Information Officer
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Oroville Ca. 95965
T. 530.552.3320
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