It's a question state lawmakers have spent years trying to answer: How the state's wildfire commission is asking for changes.
This commission has spent the last several months having public hearings, meetings and putting together these recommendations. While the governor, senate and assembly leadership have said at the moment they don't intend to change state liability laws.
This commission is urging the legislature to act now.
"I've dealt with a lot of problems in this state, this is the biggest one I've ever seen," says Michael Kahn with the catastrophic wildfire commission.
He urges lawmakers to take action as the group releases a number of recommendations on the best way for California to handle the cost of wildfires when a utility is to blame.
The commission is urging lawmakers to consider changing utility liability so electric companies don't bare the entire cost when it's equipment sparks a blaze.
The commission emphasizes utilities shouldn't be completely off the hook, but if credit ratings keep plunging for utility companies, California rate payers could pay the price.
"I believe that the legislature and the governor could take our report and face up to the fact that we have an emergency, declare an emergency, then legislate in the field," Kahn explains.
Some lawmakers are concerned about the effects on customers and fire victims."It seems to me that rate payers and victims are going to have to shoulder a significant burden," says Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno).
"It is the responsibility of rate payers to fund a system that is healthy and strong. A big part of that in this new normal is funding investments in wildfire mitigation, and at times, absorbing some of the cost," says Carla Peterman with Catastrophic Wildfire Commission.
Governor Gavin Newsom asked lawmakers to "get him something big" before summer recess to address these issues. The legislature is only working on a wildfire recovery fund for now.
"It's my belief if you wish to solve the problem, you can," Kahn says.
The wildfire commission will have its final meeting in Sacramento Friday.
