Wildfires

The nation's largest utility announced Wednesday it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and paid $5.4 billion in initial funds and 22.19% of its stock into a trust for victims of wildfires caused by its outdated equipment.

Officials said the use of fireworks in Contra Costa County puts stress on an already understaffed and overtaxed fire district during high risk fire season.

Mild mountain temperatures of 55 to 65 degrees are forecast overnight Sunday.

The Sky Oaks watershed of the Marin Municipal Water District on Mount Tamalpais, Natalie Coffin Green Park in Ross, Leo Cronin parking lot in Lagunitas, and Mount Vision Road in Inverness are closed during the red flag period.

The fire was first reported just before 2 p.m., Saturday.

Firefighters from the Moraga-Orinda Fire District deliberately burned thick brush and vegetation to protect against wildfires later in the season.

As California prepared for the possibility of a very active wildfire season, PG&E alerted customers to be ready for the possibility of more planned outages, though officials said the next round of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) will look different from previous events.

The decision by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali clears the way for PG&E to pay $25.5 billion for losses from devastating fires in 2017 and 2018.

The maximum penalty assessed by Butte County Superior Court Judge Micahel Deems was a mere formality, given that PG&E reached a plea agreement three months ago to resolve manslaughter and other charges.

The first fire, which has been named the Camp Parks Fire, is burning off Mines Rd. in Livermore. The second fire, which began shortly after the first, is breaking out on Sandia National Labs property near 7900 Tesla Rd.

The speakers tearfully told of holiday and birthday celebrations that will never be celebrated after their loved ones perished in the November 2018 fire that nearly wiped out Paradise, California.

PG&E CEO Bill Johnson entered guilty pleas Tuesday on behalf of the company for 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the fire, which was blamed on the company’s crumbling electrical grid.

The Quail Fire that started in Solano County on Saturday afternoon has been fully contained as of Wednesday morning, according to Cal Fire.

Three structures have been damaged and 100 were threatened, Cal Fire said. There are more than 600 personnel working the fire and no injuries have been reported. Evacuations of homes and other buildings in the area were mandatory, but were lifted Sunday afternoon.

Evacuations were ordered Saturday following a rapid rate of spread. Firefighters had estimated 100 structures were threatened by the out of control wildfire.

An arson investigation is underway into the Colleen Fire, which scorched a hilly area covered with dry brush and forced the evacuation of area residents, according to the San Jose Fire Department.

Cal Fire first reported the incident at 4:19 p.m. on Twitter, and said the size was at 40 acres.