Judge digs into PG&E’s suspected role in Dixie Fire

PG&E's power line suspected to ignite Dixie Fire

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (AP) — A Pacific Gas & Electric troubleshooter spent nearly two hours in federal court Monday fielding questions about whether the utility could have turned off the electricity sooner on a power line suspected of sparking the monstrous Dixie Fire two months ago.

The grilling came before a federal judge who is overseeing PG&E’s criminal probation after the utility’s gas lines blew up part of a suburban neighborhood in 2010.

The judge is weighing whether he should impose more stringent conditions on PG&E before his authority expires in January.

PG&E says it shares the judge's concern for safety.