Articles for Wildfire Victims

Hawaii's governor releases details of $175M fund to compensate Maui wildfire victims
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Hawaii's governor releases details of $175M fund to compensate Maui wildfire victims

Hindustan Times  

HONOLULU — Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday that a $175 million fund to compensate families of people killed in the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century will begin accepting applications at the end of the week. “This recovery fund amounts to an offer and it’s really up to people if they choose to take this offer,” Green …

Wildfire Green State Fund Million Maui Hawaii
Police confirm identity of 101st victim of huge Maui wildfire
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Police confirm identity of 101st victim of huge Maui wildfire

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — The death toll from the wildfire that destroyed the historic Hawaii town of Lahaina in August rose to 101 on Tuesday after Maui police confirmed the identity of one new victim, a 76-year-old man. Maui police found Paul Kasprzycki’s remains off a side street in an industrial area, Maui police spokesperson Alana Pico said in an email. Jan …

California Maui Lahaina Maui Police 101St Victim Brodersen Kasprzycki
She died weeks after fleeing the Maui wildfire. Her family fought to have her listed as a victim
1 year ago

She died weeks after fleeing the Maui wildfire. Her family fought to have her listed as a victim

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Sharlene Rabang and her calico cat fled the wildfire that destroyed her town on Maui and arrived at a family home on another Hawaii island after a 24-hour odyssey that included sleeping in a car. It wasn’t until November that, at the urging of her family, Honolulu’s medical examiner said a contributing cause of death was the …

Family Victim Wildfire Lopes Cat Her Husband Husband
As California fires burn, PG&E CEO promises to fix the grid
3 years, 2 months ago

As California fires burn, PG&E CEO promises to fix the grid

LA Times  

This is the Oct. 14, 2021, edition of Boiling Point, a weekly newsletter about climate change and the environment in California and the American West. ME: On that note, let’s talk about putting more power “where the people are.” There are a lot of folks furious with PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric for pushing Gov. …

Climate Change Climate Oil Tesla Power California Stock
After years of deadly fires, PG&E again vows to do better
3 years, 6 months ago

After years of deadly fires, PG&E again vows to do better

Associated Press  

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — The nation’s largest utility has long vowed to change its reckless ways, but year after year there’s more death and destruction from Northern California wildfires sparked by Pacific Gas & Electric’s equipment. In the meantime, most of the roughly 70,000 victims who have filed claims for devastation caused by PG&E’s past misdeeds still are awaiting payment …

Trust California Stock Bankruptcy Shares Utility Nearly
Wildfire victims sue PG&E’s former management for neglect
3 years, 10 months ago

Wildfire victims sue PG&E’s former management for neglect

Al Jazeera  

California company accused of ‘dereliction of duty’; US claimants fear it will not be able to pay $13.5bn settlement. The wildfire victims’ lawsuit is seeking to tap into the $200m to $400m in liability insurance that PG&E secured for the former executives and board members, said Frank Pitre, the lawyer handling the case. If the lawsuit is successful, it could …

Victims Settlement Wildfire California Board Members Wildfire Victims Pitre
Families of California wildfire victims slam PG&E for crimes
4 years, 6 months ago

Families of California wildfire victims slam PG&E for crimes

Associated Press  

The families of some of the 85 people killed by a horrific Northern California wildfire ignited by Pacific Gas & Electric’s long-neglected equipment vilified the company Wednesday as greedy, corrupt and reckless, telling heartbreaking stories of their loss in court. As they addressed Butte County Superior Court Judge Michael Deems, the families lamented never being able to see a music-loving …

Family California Company Johnson Paradise Wildfire Victims
PG&E CEO blames past management for problems, promises fixes
4 years, 10 months ago

PG&E CEO blames past management for problems, promises fixes

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — PG&E Corp. CEO Bill Johnson blamed negligence by the company’s past management for a cascade of catastrophes that killed nearly 140 people as he tried to persuade California regulators Tuesday that he is steering the utility to make safety its top priority. He couldn’t explain how the lack of accountability and organization happened because he said he …

California Company Johnson Wildfire Victims Cpuc
California governor wants to grill PG&E about financing plan
4 years, 10 months ago

California governor wants to grill PG&E about financing plan

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy faced another threat from California Gov. Newsom’s lawyers told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali they want to grill PG&E about the company’s plans to borrow billions of dollars and sell more stock to help pay the $13.5 billion owed to more than 75,000 victims of catastrophic wildfires ignited …

Victims Settlement Plan Newsom Dumas Wildfire Victims Montali
PG&E says it has reached $13.5 billion wildfire settlement
5 years, 1 month ago

PG&E says it has reached $13.5 billion wildfire settlement

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Pacific Gas and Electric announced Friday it has reached a tentative $13.5 billion settlement resolving all major claims related to the deadly, devastating Northern California wildfires of 2017-2018 that were blamed on its outdated equipment and negligence. “From the beginning of the Chapter 11 process, getting wildfire victims fairly compensated, especially the individuals, has been our primary …

Settlement Utility Northern California Chapter 11 California Wildfire Wildfire Victims
Fire officials determine PG&E equipment sparked deadly fire
5 years, 7 months ago

Fire officials determine PG&E equipment sparked deadly fire

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As California fire investigators officially concluded that the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century was caused by Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. power lines, lawmakers expressed deep skepticism about whether the utility had made the dramatic changes needed to prevent another deadly blaze. “We need to know what the lessons learned are.” State fire officials said transmission …

California Report Johnson Paradise Utility Cal Fire Fire Officials
PG&E hasn’t run out of money. So why is it planning to file for bankruptcy?
5 years, 11 months ago

PG&E hasn’t run out of money. So why is it planning to file for bankruptcy?

LA Times  

Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, outside the state Capitol on Tuesday, has urged lawmakers not to let PG&E go bankrupt. In an emailed statement, PG&E spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said the company’s board unanimously chose to pursue a Chapter 11 filing “following a comprehensive review with the assistance of outside experts and at management’s recommendation.” “Resolving our legal liabilities and financial challenges …

Victims Capital Wildfire Utilities California Company Bankruptcy
Many victims of California’s worst wildfire were elderly and died in or near their homes, new data show
6 years ago

Many victims of California’s worst wildfire were elderly and died in or near their homes, new data show

LA Times  

Firefighters from San Bernardino County move heavy debris while searching for human remains at a destroyed residence off Skyway. Residents’ mailboxes are intact as a search-and-rescue team sifts through the destroyed Ridgewood mobile home park in Paradise. PG&E highlights bullet-riddled equipment and downed tree branches near Camp fire in letter to state regulators » Larry Smith, an 80-year-old from Paradise, …

California Road Camp Remains Died Human Remains Paradise