SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Public Utilities Commission approved a $45 million fine Thursday against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for the Dixie fire, the second-largest wildfire in state history, which scorched nearly 1 million acres in 2021 and gutted more than 1,300 structures. The utility caused the 963,000-acre fire after a Douglas Fir tree fell on its power lines, sparking flames across five Northern California counties, according to Cal Fire. PG&E has settled civil lawsuits brought by multiple Sacramento Valley district attorneys for $55 million to avoid prosecution in both the Dix…
