LA County sues Southern California Edison over Eaton fire
Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against Southern california Edison (SCE),alleging that the company’s electrical equipment caused the Eaton Fire in January. The fire burned for 24 days, consuming over 14,000 acres, damaging more than 9,400 structures, and leading to 17 fatalities, while displacing approximately 10,000 residents.
The county claims to possess evidence, including photographic and witness accounts, indicating that SCE’s equipment, particularly its exposed power lines in areas with vegetation, sparked the blaze. The lawsuit asserts that SCE failed to maintain its vegetation clearance and did not deactivate its electrical circuits during severe wind conditions and a Red Flag Warning prior to the fire.
The legal action aims to recover costs and damages that the county estimates could reach hundreds of millions of dollars. The company’s stock price has dropped significantly following the wildfire incident. SCE has acknowledged the impact of the fires on affected communities and stated they are reviewing the lawsuits. Additionally, other municipalities, including Pasadena and sierra Madre, are also suing SCE. California is currently experiencing its wildfire season, with concerns about potential further outbreaks.
LA County mounts lawsuit against Southern California Edison for Eaton Fire
Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit against electricity company Southern California Edison, alleging its equipment started the Eaton fire in January.
The Eaton fire was active for 24 days, burned over 14,000 acres, damaged over 9,400 structures, and resulted in 17 deaths. Some 10,000 residents were displaced as they evacuated the fire’s path of destruction.
LA County Counsel claimed to have photographic, video, and witness evidence that it was Edison’s electrical infrastructure, which included exposed power lines set up in a vegetated area, that set off the sparks that became the fire.
“EDISON negligently failed to maintain vegetation within prescribed California regulations and law concerning vegetation clearance from power lines and its electrical infrastructure,” the lawsuit reads. “EDISON failed to de-energize its electrical circuit(s) to prevent a catastrophic wildfire during the high wind event and Red Flag Warning that preceded the Eaton Fire.”
In a press release, LA County explained that the reason behind the lawsuit was to “recover costs and damages sustained by the County,” which could be as much as hundreds of millions of dollars. County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison said in a statement she is “committed to seeking justice for the Altadena community and the taxpayers of Los Angeles County.”
SCE stock took a hit in the weeks following the fires. On the day the fires started, stock prices were over $77 each, but as of Thursday morning, they’ve fallen to around $55.
“Our hearts are with the communities affected by the wildfires in Southern California,” SCE spokesperson Brian Leventhal said. “We are reviewing the lawsuits that were recently filed and we’ll address them through the appropriate legal process.”
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The lawsuit from LA County isn’t the only one the electricity provider is facing. The cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre are also suing SCE.
California is still in the middle of its wildfire season and anticipates more fires could start.
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