Dixie Fire Officially Blamed on Tree on Power Line

Cal Fire has determined the monolithic Dixie Fire that destroyed astir 1 cardinal acres crossed 5 counties past summertime was caused by a histrion hitting a PG&E powerfulness line.  

Cal Fire has forwarded its findings to Butte region prosecutors. 

The blaze tore done Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Shasta, and Tehama counties aft it began during the day of July 13, 2021. 

“After a meticulous and thorough investigation, CAL FIRE has determined that the Dixie Fire was caused by a histrion contacting electrical organisation lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) located west

of Cresta Dam,” according to a Cal Fire release. The last study was forwarded to the Butte County District Attorney, the merchandise said. 

The incidental began earlier connected July 13 erstwhile the downed tree, seemingly suffering from rot, leaned onto a PG&E organisation line. That blew 2 fuses, but PG&E did not unopen disconnected the powerfulness connected the remainder of the line. It  took respective hours for a technician to get astatine the scene. By past the occurrence was already going. 

Deputy District Attorney Marc Noel said his bureau is reviewing the report. “Obviously Cal Fire has determined the histrion successful question started the occurrence and present it’s our occupation to find retired however and wherefore that histrion fell and whether PG&E is criminally astatine fault,” helium said. Noel said Cal Fire’s referral suggests imaginable violations of law, but helium declined to specify immoderate of those findings.