Feds Settle With PG&E Over 2004 Forest Fires
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California's largest utility and two tree-trimming subcontractors have agreed to pay nearly $30 million to settle federal lawsuits over the cause of wildfires in two national forests.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. spokeswoman Brandi Ehlers confirmed the settlement Thursday. The U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento had scheduled an afternoon news conference to provide more details.
Federal prosecutors filed the lawsuits after the 2004 wildfires. One burned 7,700 acres in the El Dorado National Forest in El Dorado County, while the other burned 3,300 acres across the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity national forests in Trinity County.
The blazes scorched the forests, but there were no reports of structures being damaged or destroyed.
Federal officials sued the San Francisco-based utility, blaming the fires on power lines.
