SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A Pacific Gas & Electric troubleshooter spent nearly two hours in federal court Monday fielding questions about whether the utility could have turned off the electricity sooner on a power line suspected of sparking the monstrous Dixie Fire two months ago.
The grilling came before a federal judge who is overseeing PG&E’s criminal probation after the utility’s gas lines blew up part of a suburban neighborhood in 2010.
The judge is weighing whether he should impose more stringent conditions on PG&E before his authority expires in January.
PG&E says it shares the judge's concern for safety.
As of Monday afternoon, the Dixie Fire had been active for 60 days, burning 960,335 acres across five counties. It is 75% contained.
The fire has destroyed 1,329 structures and damaged another 95.
More than 4,300 fire personnel are assigned to the Dixie Fire.
