Sonoma County is nearing a civil settlement with utility Pacific Gas & Electric over responsibility for 2019's Kincade Fire. In a Monday morning hearing, lawyers representing Sonoma County District Jill Ravitch told Judge Mark Urioste that progress was made toward settling the civil case Friday before another judge.
County attorneys then asked for dismissal of separate criminal charges against PG&E "with prejudice in the pursuit of justice."
CalFire determined the Kincade Fire was sparked by abandoned-but-still-operational transmission lines the company left behind at the Geysers, a large geothermal field spanning Lake and Sonoma counties. See those findings at the end of this article.
"CAL FIRE has determined that the Kincade Fire was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric located northeast of Geyserville. Tinder dry vegetation and strong winds combined with low humidity and warm temperatures contributed to extreme rates of fire spread," a CalFire release said in 2020.
Ravitch had earlier filed criminal charges alleging that the impacts of heavy wildfire smoke on vulnerable local residents qualified as an environmental crime. The two felonies and 23 misdemeanors resulted from documented health impacts.
A copy of the county's proposed civil settlement was not immediately available.
An attorney representing wildfire survivors said he was extremely frustrated and questioned if Ravitch was ever serious about pursuing criminal charges.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
July 16, 2020
CAL FIRE Investigators Determine Cause of the Kincade Fire
Sacramento – The Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, started on October 23, 2019, and burned a total of 77,758 acres, destroyed 374 structures and caused four non-life threatening injuries.
CAL FIRE investigators were immediately dispatched to the Kincade Fire and began working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. After a very meticulous and thorough investigation, CAL FIRE has determined that the Kincade Fire was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) located northeast of Geyserville.
Tinder dry vegetation and strong winds combined with low humidity and warm temperatures contributed to extreme rates of fire spread.
The Kincade Fire investigative report has been forwarded to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.
Californians must remain vigilant and be prepared for wildfire. For more information on how to be prepared, visit www.readyforwildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov.
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