Local Entities File Suit Against PG&E for 2019 Kincade Fire Damages to Public Resources

Today, the County of Sonoma, City of Santa Rosa, Town of Windsor, City of Cloverdale, City of Healdsburg, Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma County Water Agency and Community Development Commission filed a lawsuit against PG&E for damages to public resources resulting from the 2019 Kincade Fire. The lawsuit was filed in Sonoma County Superior Court on November 17, 2020.

The Kincade Fire, which started October 23, 2019 near John Kincade Road and Burned Mountain Road northeast of Geyserville, burned 77,758 acres over a 13-day period. A total of 374 structures were destroyed, 60 structures were damaged, and four injuries resulted from the fires.

The suit alleges that PG&E negligently caused the Kincade Fire and is legally responsible for the damages to local government agencies.  The legal allegations include inverse condemnation and negligence, among others, and seek damages for injury to and loss of public resources, including but not limited to land, roads, and environmental resources.

In July of 2020, following its investigation, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) announced that PG&E equipment caused the Kincade Fire and submitted their investigative report to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether to file criminal charges.

For more information, members of the media may contact John Fiske of Baron & Budd who can be reached at (619)261-4090.