Oregon Supreme Court to review jury instruction in $1 B PacifiCorp wildfire verdict

More than 2,400 Oregon residents who lost homes and property in four 2020 wildfires are asking the state Supreme Court to restore a jury verdict that awarded them over $1 billion from PacifiCorp.

The fires—known as the 242, Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain and Santiam Canyon—ignited after the utility left power lines energized during a historic windstorm. Survivors sued PacifiCorp and Pacific Power, alleging the companies failed to maintain lines, clear vegetation and shut off power despite warnings.

Trial and appellate history

After an eight‑week trial, a jury found PacifiCorp liable for each fire and issued verdicts totaling more than $1 billion in damages. PacifiCorp appealed, challenging a jury instruction that allowed jurors to assume evidence presented for class representatives applied to all class members.

The Oregon Court of Appeals agreed with PacifiCorp, saying the instruction let the jury improperly extend causation findings from one fire to others.

Supreme Court arguments

Survivors argue the instruction was correct because the evidence of PacifiCorp’s “conflagration” was common to every class member and the jury was asked to decide liability fire‑by‑fire. PacifiCorp counters that the case is unprecedented, that the class was too large, and that the instruction could mislead jurors into applying evidence from one fire to distant, unrelated fires.

Justices Christopher Garrett and Meagan Flynn questioned whether the jury truly mixed causation across fires, noting the trial record shows a fire‑by‑fire approach.

What this means for ordinary people

If the Supreme Court revives the verdict, the more than $1 billion judgment will remain enforceable, potentially leading to payments to thousands of fire survivors. If the court upholds the appellate decision, the verdict could be overturned, leaving survivors without compensation and possibly prompting new litigation.

There is no deadline mentioned for a decision, but the case remains pending, so affected residents should stay informed of any rulings and consider consulting a lawyer to understand their rights and any next steps.

When to seek legal help

Anyone who was a victim of the 2020 Oregon wildfires and is unsure how the Supreme Court’s ruling might affect their claim should talk to an attorney, especially if they have pending insurance or settlement issues.

This article is general information based on Courthouse News Service and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published November 4, 2026.