Zogg Fire, 2020
The Zogg Fire started on September 27, 2020, when a pine tree touched PG&E distribution lines north of Igo. It burned 56,338 acres, destroyed 204 structures and killed four people.
- Where
- Shasta and Tehama counties, starting north of Igo
- Utility
- PG&E
- Record
- Found by investigators
- Started on
- Distribution line
- Acres burned
- 56,338
Sources: Zogg Fire incident page; CAL FIRE investigators determine cause of the Zogg Fire
- Days to containment
- 16
Source: CAL FIRE
- Structures destroyed
- 204
Sources: Zogg Fire incident page; CAL FIRE investigators determine cause of the Zogg Fire
- Deaths
- 4
Source: CAL FIRE
Found by investigators
The agency that investigated the fire found that the utility's equipment started it.
CAL FIRE found in March 2021 that the fire was caused by a pine tree contacting PG&E distribution lines north of Igo.
Source: CAL FIRE
Distribution line
A lower-voltage line that carries power along streets and roads to homes and businesses.
PG&E distribution lines north of Igo, touched by a pine tree.
What happened
- Started
September 27, 2020, at 4:03 p.m., at Zogg Mine Road and Jenny Bird Lane.
Source: CAL FIRE
- Contained
October 13, 2020, after 16 days.
Source: CAL FIRE
- Damage
204 structures destroyed and 27 damaged. Four civilians were killed and one person injured.
Sources: Zogg Fire incident page; CAL FIRE investigators determine cause of the Zogg Fire
The cause
- Criminal case
On September 24, 2021, the Shasta County District Attorney charged PG&E with 11 felonies and 20 misdemeanors over the Zogg Fire and three other fires. In May 2023 the two sides filed a civil stipulated judgment instead, and the court dismissed the charges with prejudice on June 14, 2023.
Sources: PG&E Form 10-K for 2022; PG&E Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023
What it cost
- Stipulated judgment
PG&E recorded $50 million related to the stipulated judgment.
- CPUC penalty
$150 million, approved in May 2023: a $10 million penalty to the state's General Fund and $140 million in permanent disallowances, costs PG&E may not charge customers.
- Damages
In excess of $50 million, by the CPUC's account.
Not published
We looked for these and found no source that publishes them:
- How many people were evacuated, or for how long
- How many households never returned
- Insured losses for this fire