PacifiCorp could face substantial liability if downed power lines caused Oregon wildfires

Ted Sickinger, The Oregonian/Oregonian Live, October 4th (updated Oct 7th) 2020

The causes of most of Oregon’s catastrophic wildfires that ignited on Labor Day are still under investigation, with official determinations yet to come.

But anecdotal and eyewitness accounts suggest that several were started by electrical lines and equipment buffeted by the historic windstorm that whipped across the state for three days.

Many residents of affected communities are asking why the lines weren’t deactivated before the winds, which were clearly forecast days in advance by the National Weather Service, along with red flag warnings noting the extreme fire danger.

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