It might surprise you but a healthy utility doesn't spray the environment with sparks. The main risk is high winds swinging the lines and trees far enough to c

It might surprise you but a healthy utility doesn't spray the environment with sparks. The main risk is high winds swinging the lines and trees far enough to contact, the resulting short can cause fires. For this reason there's a standard for how far back trees should be trimmed for safety. Said standard was an excuse PG&E made for an additional funding request. When funded they didn't do the work, but instead paid a dividend. So now we have richer stock holders and a utility that's decided to turn off the power instead of trim the trees.