Sonoma county, cities sue PG&E over Kincade Fire

The Kincade Fire, which started October 23, 2019, near the northeast of Geyserville, burned 77,758 acres over a 13-day period. A total of 374 structures were destroyed, 60 were damaged, and four injuries resulted from the fires.

A Cal Fire investigation, concluded in July of this year, found that faulty PG&E equipment was to blame.

Today, Sonoma County and a number of other governmental entities filed a lawsuit against PG&E for damages to public resources resulting from the catastrophic blaze.

Joining the suit against the utility are: the County of Sonoma, the city of Santa Rosa, Town of Windsor, city of Cloverdale, city of Healdsburg, Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma County Water Agency, and Community Development Commission.

The plaintiffs charge that PG&E negligently caused the Kincade Fire and is legally responsible for the damages to local government agencies.  The allegations include inverse condemnation and negligence, among others, and seek damages for injury to and loss of public resources, including but not limited to land, roads, and environmental resources.

After its investigation found PG&E at fault, Cal Fire submitted its investigative findings to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether to file criminal charges.