Wildfires
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PacifiCorp ordered to pay Oregon wildfire victims another $42M. Final bill could reach billions
A jury in Oregon has ordered PacifiCorp to pay more than $42 million to 10 victims of devastating wildfires on Labor Day 2020 — the latest verdict in litigation that is expected to see the electric utility on the hook for billions in damages.
US, Oregon governments may sue PacifiCorp for $1B over 2020 wildfire costs
The U.S. government is threatening to sue PacifiCorp, a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, to recover nearly $1 billion of costs related to the 2020 wildfires in southern Oregon and northern California
Oregon jury awards at least $62 million to 9 survivors of deadly 2020 wildfires
The wildfire survivors could receive $85 million from PacifiCorp and insurance companies once additional damages are applied.
New federal lawsuit filed against 3 utilities on behalf of Holiday Farm Fire survivors
A small coalition of law firms in Oregon and California have collectively filed suit against three regional utilities for their alleged lack of safeguards and mishandling of electrical transmissions right before the Holiday Farm Fire broke out on Sept. 7, 2020.
Volunteers help sagebrush, wildflowers grow where southeastern Washington fires burned
After wildfires, it can be hard for native plants to come back. That’s why volunteers are planting them and spreading seeds this fall in southeastern Washington, helping sagebrush and wildflowers take root again.
Federal money will support Native American burn practices in Oregon’s oak habitats
A project incorporating traditional Native American management practices for oak habitat restoration in Oregon has been awarded $9.23 million.
With a record tax kicker on the horizon, an Oregon lawmaker sees a chance to bolster wildfire efforts
State Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, is proposing using a third of the forthcoming tax kicker to set aside as a one-time investment that could yield millions each year to help fund wildfire reduction and response.
Oregon utilities, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs get $450M to improve electric grid
The investment by the Biden administration will allow PacifiCorp, Portland General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to boost transmission capacity and job training programs and fortify the electric grid from the growing threat of wildfires.
With wildfires growing, California writes new rules on where to plant shrubs
The plants and mulch within five feet of a home pose a major risk for spreading wildfire. California now has the tricky task of convincing homeowners to get rid of the greenery.
Washington state endures ‘catastrophic’ 2023 wildfire season with high ignitions, property loss
Washington recorded 1,884 wildfire ignitions this summer, marking the second-highest number in the state's history.