COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Colusa County and the Colusa County Resource Conservation District have filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and PG&E Corporation seeking to recover damages related to the 2024 Sites Fire, which burned more than 19,000 acres in western Colusa County.
The lawsuit was filed June 9 in partnership with outside legal counsel from Baron & Budd P.C. and Diab Chambers LLP.
According to a statement released by the law firms, the lawsuit seeks compensation for damage to public infrastructure and natural resources caused by the June 17, 2024, fire, which burned approximately 19,195 acres.
“The lawsuit seeks to recover critical infrastructure and natural resource damages caused by the Sites Fire,” said Torri Sherlin, a shareholder with Baron & Budd and outside counsel for Colusa County and the Resource Conservation District. “The Colusa County RCD brings this action pursuant to its statutory authority to restore the natural resources damages as a result of the Sites Fire and to recover critical damages to provide technical assistance to affected landowners.”
The complaint alleges causes of action including inverse condemnation, negligence, nuisance, trespass and violations of sections of the California Public Utilities Code and California Health and Safety Code.
The lawsuit cites a disclosure PG&E submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission following the fire. According to the filing, PG&E reported that on June 17, 2024, it experienced a line-to-ground fault on its Elk Creek 1101 distribution circuit near Stonyford in a Tier 2 High Fire Threat District. The company stated a fire was observed in the area shortly afterward.
PG&E also reported that a company troubleshooter responding to the outage found a tree with a green canopy that had broken approximately 10 to 12 feet above the ground and was resting on a de-energized power line.
“The lawsuits seek to hold PG&E responsible for the Sites Fire and are a critical step to facilitate community recovery,” said Carlie Bouslaugh, a partner with Diab Chambers LLP, which is representing the public agencies in the case.
Colusa County Counsel Richard Stout, who also serves as counsel to the Colusa County Resource Conservation District, is working with the outside legal teams representing the county and district in the matter.