An Oregon jury has ordered PacifiCorp to pay $305 million to 16 victims of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, according to reporting by The Columbian. The decision, issued in late February 2026, is the latest in a series of class‑action verdicts against the utility, which operates as Pacific Power in Oregon and portions of Southwest Washington.

According to reporting by The Columbian, the 16 plaintiffs were among thousands who joined a class‑action suit alleging that PacifiCorp failed to shut off power during extreme wind conditions on September 7, 2020. Multiple prior juries have ruled against the company in related phases of the case.

Earlier court filings and previous jury findings, as documented by outlets including the Associated Press, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and The Oregonian in earlier phases of the litigation, show that PacifiCorp has repeatedly been found liable for damages connected to the 2020 wildfires. Those fires burned towns, homes, and forestland across Western Oregon after windstorms downed power lines and drove fire spread.

PacifiCorp, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, serves customers in Cowlitz County through its Pacific Power division. While the Labor Day fires did not strike Southwest Washington, the legal rulings have drawn close attention locally because of the region’s similar wildfire vulnerabilities and the direct involvement of a utility serving local communities.

The Columbian reported that PacifiCorp continues to contest aspects of the litigation and has appealed previous verdicts. Utility representatives have stated in past filings that they dispute the extent of their responsibility for the fires and the scale of damages sought.

Why this matters for Cowlitz County

The ongoing wildfire litigation in Oregon highlights emerging expectations for power‑shutoff policies and grid management throughout the Pacific Northwest. As utilities across Washington, including those serving Longview and Kelso, refine their wildfire mitigation plans, the Oregon rulings are likely to shape regulatory debate, insurance risk, and customer‑facing practices in the region.

State energy regulators in both Oregon and Washington have been examining wildfire risk protocols for several years, and the verdicts against PacifiCorp may influence future requirements for public‑safety power shutoffs, vegetation management, and emergency communications. Local governments and emergency planners in Cowlitz County continue to monitor these developments due to their potential effects on rural fire response, grid reliability, and utility preparedness.

The class‑action case remains ongoing, with additional trials expected for remaining plaintiffs.

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