Cassandra Profita

A $1.6 billion class-action lawsuit that accuses the utility PacifiCorp of failing to shut off its power lines during extreme fire danger in September 2020 heads to trial Monday. It is likely the first time a utility has taken such a class-action case to a jury trial.

After withdrawing a controversial map of wildfire risk on every property statewide, the Oregon Department of Forestry is planning to spend the next year talking with the public and revising the map.

Authorities originally thought a wolf found dead in Wallowa County in January had died from a gunshot wound, but a closer examination showed the wolf died from blunt force trauma consistent with a vehicle crash.

A statewide map will determine which properties face the highest risk of wildfire and will be subject to new safety requirements.

The Climate Protection Program would cap and reduce fossil fuel emissions from cars and trucks