SAN DIEGO (AP) — An electrical contractor and tree-trimming company have agreed to pay $370 million to settle lawsuits over wildfires that swept San Diego County in 2007.
U-T San Diego says PAR Electric and Davey Tree Expert Co. agreed to pay San Diego Gas & Electric.
The utility argued that Davey Tree was responsible for keeping power lines clear of vegetation in the area where a falling tree branch allegedly sparked one blaze.
It also said PAR Electric replaced a power pole that other lawsuits have linked to the start of another fire.
Wildfires that broke out in October 2007 killed two people and burned more than 1,300 structures. San Diego Gas & Electric has denied its power lines were at fault but it's paid more than $1.5 billion in claims.
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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
