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Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Southern California Edison (SCE), alleging the utility company's equipment caused the devastating Eaton Fire. The fire, which ignited on January 7, destroyed approximately 9,000 homes, claimed 17 lives, and became one of California's most destructive wildfires.
The lawsuit accuses SCE of failing to properly inspect, maintain, and operate its electrical infrastructure. It also alleges that the company neglected vegetation management near its transmission towers and failed to de-energize circuits during hurricane-force winds, which could have prevented the fire.
According to the county, video footage, photographs, and witness accounts suggest that sparks from SCE's equipment in Eaton Canyon ignited the blaze. Additionally, a filing by SCE with the California Public Utilities Commission revealed that transmission lines over Eaton Canyon experienced a surge in electrical current at the time the fire began. The company acknowledged that its equipment may have played a role but stated it had not identified clear evidence of faults.
The lawsuit also highlights concerns about an idle transmission tower that had been decommissioned for over 50 years but was re-energized before the fire. Investigators observed flashes of light on the tower, raising questions about its role in the incident.
Los Angeles County is seeking "at least hundreds of millions of dollars" in damages to cover firefighting, emergency response costs, and infrastructure repairs in areas like Altadena, which were heavily impacted by the fire.
SCE spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy stated, "Our hearts are with the communities affected by the wildfires in Southern California, and we are reviewing the lawsuit. We will address it through the appropriate legal process."
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department are still investigating the fire's cause and have not released an official conclusion.
