PGE announces new electric infrastructure undergrounding initiative to protect against wildfire threat The California Public Utilities Commission Fire Map that shows fire threat, with this screen capture showing the boundaries of Lake County, California. The orange shows Tier 2 and the red shows Tier 3, both elevated fire risk areas. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said it will undertake a new undergrounding effort in those high fire risk areas across its coverage area. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. Following several years of devastating wildfires that have been caused, in some cases, by its electrical equipment, Pacific Gas and Electric announced Wednesday plans for a major new initiative to expand the undergrounding of electric distribution power lines in Californias high fire threat districts. Its an important announcement for areas like Lake County, almost all of which is in the areas designated as high fire threat by the California Public Utilities Commission . The company said the goal is to further harden its system and help prevent wildfires. PGE Chief Executive Officer Patti Poppe announced the initiative in Butte County, which has been hard-hit by fires caused by electrical infrastructure, including the deadly 2018 Camp fire.