A state investigation has concluded a pine tree touching a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. electrical line caused the Zogg Fire, which started in Shasta County late last September and killed four people.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection concluded its investigation on March 19 and has forwarded it to the Shasta County district attorney for prosecution, the Redding Record Searchlight is reporting.

The fire burned more than 56,000 acres in Shasta and Tehama counties, destroyed 204 buildings and damaged another 27, according to fire agencies.

The district attorney issued a statement to the Redding newspaper March 23 saying it "will carefully review the case to determine whether criminal charges, including homicide, are legally appropriate."

The West suffered one of the worst wildfire seasons in history in 2020, as more than 100 blazes in August and September burned more than 8 million acres, destroyed 13,887 buildings and killed 46 people, including 32 in California, according to state and federal authorities.