CALIFORNIA, USA — 10 On Your Side is getting results for a PG&E customer who says the company's efforts to prevent fires may have been adding to the problem.
"Water bottles all over. Tree branches hidden behind shrugs," said an outraged Justin Cristler who decided to email 10 On Your Side.
"I'm reaching out to see if you all would want to cover PG&E contractors coming out for jobs then leaving the jobs unfinished with wood, debris and trash on properties next to power poles to fuel future fires.
Cristler shared pictures of wood lining his property.
"Tree work was left everywhere, and it was just an absolute mess."
Cristler says he was concerned about safety.
"By the time I get home I don't want to have to go out and finish a job," said Cristler. "Especially for the amount of money that we fork out for PG&E."
10 On Your Side went straight to PG&E for answers.
"I have good news. Our customer care team has made contact with Mr. Cristler, and we have worked out a solution," said Megan McFarland with PG&E. "For context, wood greater than 4" in diameter could potentially have marketable value so the PG&E policy is to leave it on the customer's property. However, in certain circumstances this doesn't work for the customer and we make safety exceptions, usually if the wood is within the defensible space of a permanent structure. We reached out to Mr. Cristler and he filled out a wood management form that will allow PG&E to return to his property to pack up the wood and remove it for him. We will be seeing him this week to get everything taken care of."
The company provided this response within 24 hours of ABC10 seeking comment.
"I do appreciate that they're trying to get on it now that we are for the lack of a better term putting the fire to them," said Cristler.
Do you have a problem don't know where else to turn? Email us at onyourside@abc10.com.
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