The 2017 Tubbs Fire that burned over 36,000 acres and killed more than 20 people in California's Sonoma County was caused by a "private electrical system," the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Thursday — a relief for utility PG&E, whose equipment was suspected as having sparked the blaze.
The big picture: A source close to the company tells Axios that the findings of the investigation does not change its plans to file for bankruptcy next week. PG&E said earlier this month it would file for bankruptcy in an effort to shield itself from billions of dollars in potential liability costs related to PG&E's possible role in wildfires in 2017 and 2018.
In a statement to Axios, a spokesperson says the company still faces "significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation, which was further impaired by the recent credit agency downgrades to below investment grade."
The Tubbs Fire, which devastated the community of Santa Rosa, stood for a short time as the most destructive wildfire in California history. It was eclipsed by the Camp Fire in 2018, which destroyed most of the town of Paradise, killing 86.
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