Cal Fire Reports Cause of Miller Fire

tree torching

[Photo provided by a reader.]

At approximately 2 p.m. on August 31, a fire was reported in the 2200 block of Miller Ranch Road in southeastern Humboldt. Cal Fire investigators have “determined the fire was not caused intentionally, nor involved negligent or careless actions by any party. The fire cause was determined to be electrical.”

The agency also states,

Cal Fire would like to remind everyone that installing electrical wires on top of the ground is unsafe and not compliant with codes.  This includes extension cords used as permanent installations, but not electric fences used for animal control.  Wires laid in such a manner are exposed to damage from weather, animals, foot traffic, equipment use, etc.  Any of these influences can cause weaknesses to the wire’s insulation and create a potential ignition source.

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21 Comments
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shawn the fisherman
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shawn the fisherman
6 years ago

Yet another reason to hate on PGandE.

amimissingsomething
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amimissingsomething
6 years ago

PG&E had nothing to do with laying an extension cord on the ground. Retake reading comprehension …Starts in 3rd or 4th grade

shawn the fisherman
Guest
shawn the fisherman
6 years ago

I was joking. Some people around here blame PGandE for everything, Even the stuff they do not do. Geez right over your head. I guess. Should have put an lol on the end and maybe then you might get it.

Bleary Eyed
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Bleary Eyed
6 years ago

I had no reason to understand you were joking.

Zippy
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Zippy
6 years ago

Yea you should have put an LOL at the end of some other indication you were being sarcastic. Your comment has no indication you were being snarky.

confused
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confused
6 years ago

so, did someone have electrical lines on the ground? code infraction? is that not negligence? it us what codes are for. public safety.

Silverlining
Guest
Silverlining
6 years ago

Pretty stupid. Hire an electrician for petes sake!

Silverlining
Guest
Silverlining
6 years ago

I saw an indoor once were the owner spliced wire in a metal box outdoors rather than buy the proper length and it was completely black and melted at the box.

Sonia Baur
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Sonia Baur
6 years ago

Thanks for the report. It’s important for us. It is instructive.

Good!
Guest
Good!
6 years ago

Cal Fire, your idiots and just pulled a Rick James Couch move, “Cal Fire would like to remind everyone that installing electrical wires on top of the ground is unsafe and “”””not compliant with codes.”””””.

But then stated that this is “nor involved negligent or careless actions”

Suzanne Van Meter
Guest
Suzanne Van Meter
6 years ago
Reply to  Good!

Good!, you are reading the two statements and combining them into one. They should be read separately as they are presented.
The first statement speaks directly to the actual Miller Fire. ( “determined the fire was not caused intentionally, nor involved negligent or careless actions by any party” )
The second statement is presented as a best management practice when electricity is involved.
(” Cal Fire would like to remind everyone that installing electrical wires on top of the ground is unsafe and not compliant with codes”) Issuing a statement after an incident gives the department the opportunity to raise awareness on related preventative topics.
To say Cal Fire are idiots is unnecessary and false. You quickly and collectively insulted a group of hardworking folks who don’t deserve the criticism.

Good!
Guest
Good!
6 years ago

I hear you, and I did overreach to blanket ALL CalFire. I should have just stated, “The CalFire PIO is an idiot!”. Why? Because according to your logic, then Calfire should have said…” we would like to remind you to not play with matches, do not investigate whether your gas tank is empty via torch light, and by all means do not touch a hot burning pipe with your tongue. ”

PIO 101: Whether or not it is intentional or not, you should use the opportunity to educate the public on how to avoid the action furthermore. What this idiot PIO did was suggest/imply/spill investigative beans that wires exposed led to the fire. Plain and straightforward.

Good!
Guest
Good!
6 years ago
Reply to  Good!

And to add to that, in a court of law, if you are not in compliance with building or vehicle code, that is an act of negligence.

Suzanne Van Meter
Guest
Suzanne Van Meter
6 years ago
Reply to  Good!

The CalFire PIO is not an idiot. The CalFire PIO did not publish these two statements on this website. The administrator who posted the story did. I don’t believe that person to be an idiot either. You can justify your rant anyway you so desire, but that doesn’t make you correct.

Good!
Guest
Good!
6 years ago

And your ill-logical stead-fast inline march with the lemming drum does not make you right either. Can you just admit it could have been worded better? As a steward of my public resources, Suzy, I would expect better from a public funded administrator.

You don't work for Cal Fire anymore for a reason!
Guest
You don't work for Cal Fire anymore for a reason!
6 years ago
Reply to  Good!

Thanks Suzanne! Your right on target of course! Mr. No name, get a clue. Hidden agenda is obvious.

Wow
Guest
Wow
6 years ago

You are allowed to have extension cords outside. This might have been out one night and an animal chewed through it or the owner might not have known there was previous damage to it. If they determined there was no negligence, I am sure there is good reason. There are just accidents.

Bill Jones
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Bill Jones
6 years ago
Reply to  Wow

no where does it say that extension cords outside caused the fire.

Bone Head
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Bone Head
6 years ago
Reply to  Wow

This was an accident waiting to happen. It happened. No accident.

liam
Guest
liam
6 years ago

this ones not worth commentin on some ass almost burned harris & all surrounding neiborhoods down last week…a extension cord is the cause???wow check your shitty wiring ass hats👌….

liam
Guest
liam
6 years ago

well i live in new harris kim,so moderate my post