PG&E Power Line Blamed for Sparking Small California Wildfire

A downed Pacific Gas & Electric power line is blamed for sparking a wildfire in eastern Monterey County, Calif. this week.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says the 2,456-acre blaze that erupted east of King City was “power line-related.”

PG&E confirms that it had a downed power line in the area and the utility is trying to determine what caused it to fall.

The fire was contained Wednesday without any injuries or building damage.

PG&E equipment has been blamed for starting some of California’s largest and deadliest recent fires, including a blaze last November that killed 85 people in and around the town of Paradise.

PG&E filed for bankruptcy in January as it faces potentially billions of dollars in liability.

Related:

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• PG&E Settles for $1B with Local Governments for California Fire Claims
• Bankruptcy Judge Approves PG&E $105 Million Assistance Fund for Wildfire Victims