PG&E Removes Trees Cut Down In Napa Area During Glass, LNU Fires

NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTIES, CA — In response to customer and community requests, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is dispatching crews in Napa and Sonoma counties to gather wood that was cut down following the Glass Fire and LNU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020, a spokesperson for the utility company said Monday.

After the Glass and LNU Fires, PG&E crews and contract vegetation management crews worked to restore power safely and quickly to customers. This included inspecting and cutting down hazardous trees that posed a potential safety risk to work crews or electric equipment. This work was done in coordination with CAL FIRE and other agencies responding to the wildfires.

After completing tree work, crews chipped wood that was less than 4 inches in diameter and spread the chips onsite, where possible, PG&E North Bay Spokesperson Deanna Contreras said. Because wood is considered the property of each landowner, any wood larger than 4 inches in diameter was left onsite. There is no legal or regulatory requirement for PG&E to remove large-diameter wood, since it is the property of the landowner, Contreras said.

In response to customer and community feedback, Contreras said crews will return to those sites and dispose of the large-diameter wood that PG&E crews cut down for safety following the 2020 wildfires, if safely accessible and approved by the property owner.

PG&E has already completed the inventory portion of this work, which included contacting and working directly with customers who have wood that qualifies for the program. PG&E began removing wood earlier this month, with the goal of completing work this summer, Contreras said.

PG&E contractor crews will perform this work and will carry identification to provide upon request. Customers who have questions about the Wood Management Program in 2020 wildfire areas can call 877-295-4949.