Oregon wildfires News

Buffett’s Oregon Fire Costs Grow as He Sours on Utilities

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s PacifiCorp was hit with at least another $29.3 million in damages for Oregon’s 2020 Labor Day fires, the latest blow for the company after Chairman Warren Buffett recently warned that he no longer views investments in western …

Berkshire Utility Sells $3.8 Billion Bond to Pay Wildfire Claims

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co.’s PacifiCorp sold $3.8 billion of US investment-grade bonds to help fund settlement claims related to wildfires in Oregon. The electric utility issued debt in four parts, with the longest portion — a long 30-year fixed-rate note …

Verdict in Oregon Wildfires Case Highlights Risks Utilities Face amid Climate Change

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A jury verdict that found an Oregon power company liable for devastating wildfires – and potentially billions of dollars in damages – is highlighting the legal and financial risks utilities take if they fail to take …

PacifiCorp Could Be on the Hook for Billions After Jury Verdict in Oregon Wildfires

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A jury in Oregon on Monday found the electric utility PacifiCorp responsible for causing devastating fires during Labor Day weekend in 2020, ordering the company to pay tens of millions of dollars to 17 homeowners who …

Oregon Wildfire Sparks Eruption Comparisons

People in Oregon covered their faces with scarves to keep choking ash from wildfires from filling their lungs and wiped the soot from windshields, similar to what long-time residents said they had to do in 1980 during the volcanic eruption …

Multiple Wildfires Burn in Oregon; 4,500 Residents Evacuated

Wildfires in Oregon are burning an area roughly equivalent to half the state of Rhode Island, affecting air quality throughout the state and forcing the evacuations of more than 4,500 people, fire authorities said Wednesday. Two dozen fires in southern, …

Oregon Sues People Suspected of Starting 2 Wildfires

The State of Oregon has filed lawsuits against people it says were responsible for starting two forest fires. The state filed one suit against a man who is accused of napping while his campfire sparked a 200-acre Southern Oregon blaze, …

Oregon’s Wildfire-Damaged Forests Vulnerable to Landslides

Another week of rain and snow could heighten landslide risk for eastern Oregon’s fire-damaged forests. Wildfires have stripped away water-soaking vegetation in areas like Canyon Creek, leaving hillsides particularly vulnerable to landslides, reported the East Oregonian. “You guys do have …

Lloyd’s Offers Oregon Wildfire Insurance at Higher Rates

The state of Oregon has a chance to continue its unique insurance policy that helps pay for fighting wildfires in big burning years – but at a higher premium and deductible. Lloyd’s of London has offered to cover up to …

Bill Aims to Share Oregon Wildfire Costs

For years, Oregon’s major timberland owners have felt they were paying too much of the cost of fighting wildfires, especially in years when blazes stayed relatively small. A bill in Gov. John Kitzhaber’s budget would allocate $3.6 million over the …