Placer County and four public entities file suit against PG&E for Mosquito Fire damages

Published Jan. 19, 2023

Yesterday, Placer County and four other public entities filed a lawsuit against PG&E for damages resulting from the 2022 Mosquito Fire. 

The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco Superior Court and includes as co-plaintiffs El Dorado County, El Dorado Water Agency, Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District, and Georgetown Divide Fire Protection District. 

The lawsuit alleges that PG&E’s equipment was the cause and origin of the Mosquito Fire, which caused significant damages to public and natural resources in El Dorado and Placer counties.

“Placer County’s lawsuit seeks to recover taxpayer resources lost in the fire,” said Placer County Counsel Karin Schwab. “The lawsuit seeks to hold PG&E accountable and to help our community rebuild after this devastating fire.” 

The Mosquito Fire started Sept. 6, 2022, and was active for 50 days, burning 76,788 acres. Between the two counties, over 11,000 people were evacuated while more than 3,700 firefighting personnel responded to the fire. By Sept. 8, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency for Placer and El Dorado counties. On Sept. 9, FEMA authorized Federal Management Assistance Grants for fire fighting and response efforts. 

Placer County is represented by County Counsel Karin E. Schwab, Chief Assistant County Counsel Brett D. Holt, and outside counsel John Fiske and Torri Sherlin of Baron & Budd, and Ed Diab of Dixon Diab & Chambers.