Zogg fire fully contained, PG&E’s role in starting Zogg fire being investigated

The Zogg Fire is fully contained, according to Cal Fire. It burned 56,338 acres of land in Shasta County, destroyed 204 structures, damaged 27 structures, injured one person and killed four people.

The Zogg Fire started on September 27 at 4:03 PM near Zogg Mine Road and Jenny Bird Lane, north of Igo, California, according to Cal Fire. Most of Shasta County west of Clear Creek between Highway 36 and Whiskeytown Lake, including Igo, Platina, Ono, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Happy Valley faced evacuations as a result of the fire.

Firefighters continue to fight other fires throughout California as high temperatures are forecasted for this week. Parts of northern California are under a Red Flag warning through Friday due to low humidity and gusty winds.

Cal Fire has reported over 8,000 incidents this year. The fires have killed 31 people and burned a record 4 million acres.

Cal Fire investigating PG&E’s role in Zogg Fire

PG&E said in a filing with the SEC that “a PG&E SmartMeter and a line recloser serving [the area of the fire] reported alarms and other activity between approximately 2:40 p.m. and 3:06 p.m., when the line recloser de-energized that portion of the circuit.”

“On October 9, 2020, CAL FIRE informed PG&E that they had taken possession of PG&E equipment as part of CAL FIRE’s ongoing investigation into the cause of the Zogg Fire,” the filing stated.

The problem occurred on PG&E’s Girvan 1101 12 kV circuit. PG&E recently told state regulators its 12,000 volt system is especially susceptible to starting fires.

Judge orders PG&E to explain its ‘role in the ignition’ of Zogg Fire

U.S. District Judge William Alsup ordered PG&E to explain “its role in the ignition” of the Zogg Fire, ordering the company to disclose the equipment taken by Cal Fire, the location Cal Fire took the equipment from and how much “trimmed and untrimmed vegetation” surrounded the location the equipment was taken from. Alsup has previously criticized PG&E for inadequate maintenance of vegetation.

Alsup gave the company until October 26 to explain how it is connected to the Zogg Fire.

Shasta County DA, Public Utilities Commission officials join investigation

The Shasta County District Attorney’s office and Public Utilities Commission officials have announced they are joining the investigation into PG&E’s role in the ignition of the Zogg Fire. PG&E had shut off power in parts of Shasta County on the weekend the Zogg Fire started, but not in the area where it ignited.

Shasta County DA Stephanie Bridgett said “this office will carefully review all evidence to determine whether criminal charges, including homicide, are appropriate under the law.”

About the author

Jeffrey Nadrich is the managing partner of Nadrich & Cohen, LLP, a California personal injury law firm which represents Zogg Fire victims.

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Created on Oct 15th 2020 18:20. Viewed 372 times.

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