Ouch.
The 2017 ‘Tubbs Fire,’ which destroyed 5,600 structures and killed 22 people in Northern California, was not caused by state utility Pacific Gas and Electric. On Thursday, investigators found the state’s second most destructive blaze ever was caused by a private electrical system — not PG&E equipment.
Cal Fire said it traced the fire’s source next to a residence and did not find any violations of state law by the utility company.
“After a very thorough, lengthy investigation…Cal Fire determined that this was not a PG&E caused fire — this was actually traced back to the point of origin, which was a private land area that had power on it with no responsibility to the utility,” stated Cal Fire Deputy Director Mike Mohler.
According to an earlier court filing, it is believed someone performing unlicensed electrical work in Nappa County started the fire. It was concluded to be caused by an unknown electrical problem affecting a privately owned conductor, but both the owner of the property and their address were blacked out.
https://www.oann.com/cal-fire-private-electrical-system-caused-2017-calif-wildfire-not-pge/