SAN FRANCISCO - The October 23, 2019, Sonoma County wildfire, known as the Kincade Fire, has sparked a lawsuit against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, whose power lines were allegedly responsible for the blaze.
According to documents filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court on February 9, the power lines were neglected and not properly maintained. The plaintiffs represent homeowners, renters, business owners and others whose lives were impacted by the 77,000-acre blaze caused by the open lines' contact with dry vegetation.
The suit says that PG&E was or should have been aware that the nature of its power lines, combined with the historically low humidity, dry conditions and high winds, were a high risk for ignition of a wildfire.
The plaintiffs include Mark Kramer as the trustee of the Mark R. Kramer 2016 Family Trust, Nancy Robinson, Sarah Shaw, Sindisa Sanctuary, Henry Thienes, Cheryl Thienes, Randall DeWitt as trustee of the Jerry L. DeWitt Trust, Jerry DeWitt Trucking Inc., Craig Cats, Debra Cates, K&C Ranch LLC and Dan Colliss.
PG&E is sued for inverse condemnation, trespass, nuisance, violation of Public Utilities Code, violation of Health and Safety Code and negligence. The plaintiffs seek a number of damages, including loss of property and wages, evacuation expenses and medical expenses. They are represented by Corey, Luzaich, De Ghetaldi and Riddle LLP, Dank Meredith and Gibbs Law Group.