PG&E cleared of criminal charges in 8 2017 blazes as fire officials say SCE sparked Thomas Fire

Utility Dive: As California's wildfire seasons lengthen and intensify, the state's investor-owned utilities are increasingly facing the possibility of criminal charges for neglecting maintenance of vegetation, such as removing dead and dying trees near their power lines.

District attorneys from Sonoma, Napa, Humboldt and Lake Counties each determined "after an extensive review" not to file criminal charges against PG&E, despite Cal Fire's determination that the utility's equipment caused numerous wildfires in the counties.

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