Pacific Gas and Electric Co. failed to properly inspect and maintain the high-voltage power line that started the Camp Fire amid systemic problems at the utility that caused it to miss a chance to avert the historic disaster, state regulatory officials have determined.
Crews examined the Butte County transmission line from the ground and sky in recent years but had not conducted a detailed climbing inspection of the aging tower located at the fire’s origin point since at least 2001, according to safety and enforcement staff at the California Public Utilities Commission.
The regulatory officials said a climbing inspection should have occurred and might have revealed the presence of a worn hook that broke on Nov. 8, 2018, leading to the ignition of a fire that killed 85 people and destroyed nearly 19,000 buildings.