SAN FRANCISCO — California fire officials said Wednesday that Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. power lines sparked a Northern California blaze that killed 85 people, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century. The utility, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January, said in February it was “probable” that one of its transmission lines sparked the blaze. The suit alleges the blaze started when electrical infrastructure owned, operated and maintained by PG&E failed, causing a spark that ignited the blaze. The suit also alleges that PG&E had planned to de-energize power lines as a precaution against starting a fire but cancelled those plans despite windy conditions. Newsom and lawmakers are working on proposals related to utility liability for wildfires that could affect the bankruptcy.

Source: National Post May 15, 2019 21:20 UTC