PacifiCorp Wins Court Ruling Potentially Reducing Oregon Wildfire Damages
An appeals court in Oregon has ruled in favor of PacifiCorp, a unit of Berkshire Hathaway, regarding litigation over a series of wildfires in 2020. The court found that a trial judge erred in allowing the litigation to proceed as a class action, which could significantly reduce PacifiCorp's liability. The wildfires in question, including Santiam Canyon and Echo Mountain Complex, were alleged to have been caused by the utility's failure to shut off power lines during a windstorm. The court's decision means that the case will return to the Multnomah County Circuit Court for reconsideration of whether a single class is appropriate. PacifiCorp has already settled claims worth $2.2 billion with approximately 4,600 claimants and agreed to pay $575 million to resolve U.S. government claims related to wildfires in Oregon and California. 
