LA County Sues Southern California Edison Over Devastating Eaton Fire

Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison (SCE) and its parent company, Edison International, alleging that the utility's transmission equipment caused the devastating Eaton Fire in January. The fire, which scorched over 14,000 acres in Altadena and surrounding areas, resulted in 17 fatalities, destroyed more than 9,000 structures, and caused damages estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The county is seeking compensation for extensive losses, including damage to public infrastructure, parks, and roads, as well as costs related to cleanup, recovery efforts, and employee overtime.

The lawsuit asserts that video footage, photographs, and witness accounts provide "clear evidence" that the fire originated beneath SCE's transmission towers in Eaton Canyon. According to the complaint, the National Weather Service had issued multiple warnings about a "life-threatening and destructive windstorm" prior to the fire's ignition on January 7. Despite these warnings, SCE allegedly failed to de-energize all its electrical circuits in the area. Around 6:11 p.m., when the fire is believed to have started, SCE reportedly detected a fault on its Eagle-Rock-Gould transmission tower that increased current on nearby lines.

The Eaton Fire ranks as California's second most destructive and fifth deadliest wildfire. It destroyed significant public properties such as the Davies Community Center and Altadena Senior Center while also devastating parks and recreational areas. Beyond public infrastructure losses, the fire displaced tens of thousands of residents and damaged or destroyed homes, businesses, religious institutions, and wildlife habitats.

Los Angeles County is not alone in its legal action. The cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre have also filed lawsuits against SCE for damages to their public properties. Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian emphasized the need for compensation to rebuild essential infrastructure. Sierra Madre’s lawsuit similarly cites video and photographic evidence linking SCE’s equipment to the fire’s origin.

SCE has maintained that the cause of the fire remains under investigation. In a statement, an SCE spokesperson expressed sympathy for affected communities but reiterated that determining the cause will take time. The utility has previously reported signs of potential arcing and damage to grounding equipment on idle conductors near the ignition site but has not confirmed any direct link between its equipment and the fire.

The lawsuits are part of a broader trend of holding utilities accountable for wildfires linked to electrical infrastructure. Similar cases include Pacific Gas & Electric’s liability for the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, which led to a $13.5 billion settlement with victims. Experts have called for modernization of aging transmission systems to reduce wildfire risks while balancing the challenges of maintaining power supply during adverse weather conditions.

As investigations continue, Los Angeles County officials stress that securing compensation from SCE is critical for rebuilding efforts in Altadena and surrounding areas devastated by one of California’s most catastrophic wildfires.