Regulators Seek $22 Million From PG&E Over Mosquito Fire Violations

California regulators proposed that PG&E pay a $22 million penalty after an investigation found the utility committed safety violations during its response to the 2022 Mosquito fire. The fire ignited September 6, 2022, near the Oxbow Reservoir in Placer County and burned 76,788 acres over more than 50 days. It destroyed 78 structures and damaged 13 others before being contained.

The California Public Utilities Commission said PG&E failed to make certain repairs or maintain some power lines. The commission also said the utility did not report the fire until two days after it started and destroyed a utility pole and other equipment before investigators could examine them.

A PG&E official responded that the pole and equipment were not involved in the fire's ignition. The official attributed the destruction to internal miscoordination and said the company offered investigators access to the discarded materials, which the commission declined.

Under the proposed settlement announced Friday, PG&E agreed to pay a $21 million penalty to California's general fund and up to $1 million to a third party that will examine the utility's policies. The commission will vote on the proposal August 13.