The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”) has determined that the Camp Fire in Butte County, which started the morning of November 8, 2018 and which burned a total of 153,336 acres, destroying 18,804 structures and resulting in 85 civilian fatalities and several firefighter injuries, was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electricity (“PG&E”) located in the Pulga area.
The Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history.
The fire started in the early morning hours near the community of Pulga in Butte County. The tinder dry vegetation and Red Flag conditions consisting of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures promoted this fire and caused extreme rates of spread, rapidly burning into Pulga to the east and west into Concow, Paradise, Magalia, and the outskirts of east Chico.
CAL FIRE's investigation identified a second ignition sight near the intersection of Concow Road and Rim Road. The cause of the second fire was determined to be vegetation into electrical distribution lines owned and operated by PG&E. This fire was consumed by the original fire, which started earlier near Pulga.
During 2018 there were more than 7,571 wildfires that burned over 1.8 million acres within the state of California.
CAL FIRE forwarded its investigative report to Butte County's district attorney, Mike Ramsey.
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Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].