In October, 1999, a 170-foot rotting Ponderosa pine tree fell onto a Pacific Gas and Electric power line near Camptonville, California. The power line ignited the tree and the fire spread to private property and the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests, ultimately burning 11,725 acres. The fire cost $4 million to suppress.

The government contended that PG&E should have removed the hazardous tree.

The $14.8 million from the settlement will go towards the suppression costs and for restoration projects on the national forests.