United States Files Complaint Against Trinity Public Utilities District for Allegedly Igniting a Wildfire That Burned Hundreds of Acres in Shasta-Trinity National Forest

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The United States filed a lawsuit against the Trinity Public Utilities District alleging that its equipment sparked the Hobo Fire - a wildfire that burned approximately 450 acres in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced today.

According to the complaint, the fire began on Aug. 31, 2020, when electrical equipment owned, maintained, and operated by Trinity Public Utilities District came into contact with nearby vegetation, igniting the surrounding area. The wildfire spread through the forest, resulting in more than $2.3 million in fire suppression costs.

The lawsuit alleges that Trinity Public Utilities District failed to take measures to prevent its power lines and related equipment from triggering a wildfire. These failures include not adequately inspecting its electrical infrastructure, not removing or trimming hazardous trees, and not maintaining appropriate vegetation clearance from its electrical infrastructure, among other failures. The United States also asserts that Trinity Public Utilities District breached the terms of its special use permit, including a strict liability provision for up to $1 million per occurrence, with any liability for injury, loss or damage in excess of that maximum to be determined by the laws governing negligence.

This matter is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Amin.