Pacific Gas & Electric equipment is believed to have caused the second largest fire in California history.
In July of this year, more than 963,000 acres in the Northern California areas of Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Shasta and Tehama Counties were burned down by the Dixie Fire. The tree that came into contact with the power lines was near the Cresta Dam.
The findings of the Cal Fire investigators were forwarded to the district attorney of the county where the Camp Fire occurred.
The company pleaded guilty to 84 counts of manslaughter and one count of illegally setting a fire. The utility agreed to pay fines as part of the criminal plea.
The utility didn't reply to the request for comment.
The Zogg Fire, which burned more than 56,000 acres and destroyed 204 buildings near Redding, has led to charges against the utility with manslaughter, along with other felonies and misdemeanors.
Climate change has made the state's extreme wildfires worse, and the focus of the state's extreme fires has been Pacific Gas and Electric. The company has taken many steps to prevent fires. The utility cut off power to millions of people for days at a time.
The utility sought protection from its debts in January of 2019. The company emerged from Chapter 11 in July 2020. The company's bankruptcy plan made it necessary for the victims of the fires to seek compensation.
There were at least three fires last year that were suspected of being caused by the equipment of Pacific Gas and Electric.
