CALAVERAS COUNTY, Calif. — PG&E is apologizing to a customer and pledging to move fast to take down a dead tree that could pose a fire hazard.
Jeff Jones says he’s terrified a dead tree next to his property will come crashing down on his home or even start a massive fire if it hits one of the PG&E's power lines near his property in Calaveras County.
"We're retired full time and scared,” he said. “We're here almost all the time so it's scary. When the wind starts blowing, is it going to come our direction?"
Now, he’s on a mission to get it taken down.
He sent 10 On Your Side this email saying: “We have a 100+ foot tall dead tree. PG&E tagged the tree and issued a critical case number to remove the tree because it's close to high power lines. We have now been waiting for over a year.”
Jones says while raising concerns about the tree, he got a surprising message from a PG&E representative.
"She said ‘I don't mean to be snarky, but if you can't wait for us feel free to have this tree removed on your own. If you have any further questions call me,’ and that's when I decided I was going to take it up a notch,” said Jones.
When 10 On Your Side reached out to PG&E, they sent us this statement: "We always aim to communicate clearly and respectfully to our customers when they are impacted by a project like this one. Admittedly we fell short of that goal in this case, and apologize for the resulting concerns that were caused for Mr. and Mrs Jones."
They also said the tree in question would come down in the next few weeks due to safety reasons.
“While the tree did pose a risk, it was determined that there still was sufficient time to go through the required permitting process for the necessary road closures etc. Currently the tree is scheduled to be removed July 15,” said a PG&E representative.
Jones and his wife say they’re relieved at having a date for the tree's removal.
Do you have a problem and don't know where else to turn? Email ABC10 at onyourside@abc10.com.
