Power Fire
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The Power Fire was a major wildfire event in Northern California's Amador County during October 2004. It began on October 6 and primarily affected areas within the Eldorado National Forest until containment was achieved on October 21. The fire was triggered by vegetation clearing near Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) power lines; subsequent federal lawsuits implicated PG&E and its contractor, with the latter agreeing to a $45 million settlement (equivalent to about $ million adjusted).
Background
The wildfire season in California during 2004 was less severe compared to the previous year, with 7,898 fires consuming a total of statewide. Before the Power Fire erupted, more than had already been scorched across Northern California.
Progression
On Wednesday, October 6, 2004, the Power Fire started due to employees from VCS Sub (also known as Provco), a subsidiary of Quanta Services contracted by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), who were clearing vegetation near a 12-kilovolt transmission line by Salt Springs Reservoir in Eldorado National Forest. The ignition source was improperly discarded lit cigarettes by workers in the forest.
Named after a nearby hydroelectric power facility, the fire spread along the northern side of Mokelumne River canyon in Amador County, approximately 17 miles east of Pioneer, California. Initially burning for six days, it reached about 490 acres and was declared contained by midday October 12. However, winds reaching 40 mph that afternoon carried embers over two miles downwind, causing the fire to expand beyond 4,600 acres with containment reduced to only 10 percent by October 13. At this stage, firefighting efforts involved more than 20 handcrews, 10 bulldozers, seven helicopters, and four air tankers.
By the evening of October 14, the fire had grown to cover 12,000 acres with containment at 35 percent. It further increased to 12,500 acres on October 15 and reached approximately 12,900 acres with containment improving to 40 percent on October 16. The affected area expanded to nearly 16,800 acres with containment at half by October 17.
Containment exceeded 90 percent by October 18, and full control was achieved on October 21 after burning a total of 17,005 acres—of which over 13,600 acres were within national forest territory. The suppression operations cost $8.46 million (roughly $ million adjusted).
Effects
No structures were destroyed nor fatalities reported due to the Power Fire; however, at least four firefighters suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. Evacuations involved public campgrounds, summer camps, and vacation cabins surrounding Salt Springs Reservoir and Bear River Reservoir, including Bear River Resort and Camp Winton Boy Scout Camp—impacting around 100 residents.
A segment exceeding along California State Route 88 was closed on October 13, followed by an extended closure on October 15 because of poor visibility caused by smoke in Amador County. Smoke from this fire combined with emissions from the Rumsey and Freds fires worsened respiratory conditions in the Central Valley and led to cancellations of several sporting events.
As the largest wildfire in more than a quarter-century for the Amador Ranger District within Eldorado National Forest, the blaze inflicted moderate to severe damage across much of its footprint, resulting in tree mortality rates between 75 and 100 percent and significant soil erosion. In December, the Forest Service suggested salvage logging operations over roughly within the impacted area.
Litigation
In August 2012, the federal authorities initiated legal action against PG&E and Quanta Services in the Eastern District of California, accusing them of negligence for employing crews without smoking prohibitions during dangerous fire conditions. The lawsuit concluded in June 2013 with Quanta Services agreeing to pay $45 million to support forest restoration, reforestation efforts, and firefighting expenses; PG&E did not provide any settlement payment, and neither company conceded liability.
See also
- Glossary of wildfire terms
- List of California wildfires
- 1999 Pendola Fire
- 2000 Storrie Fire
- 2001 Poe Fire
- 2007 Moonlight Fire