With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LA County and two cities sue SoCal Edison over damage from deadly Eaton Fire
L.A. County cited video footage and photographs in its lawsuit against Southern California Edison that show fire below transmission towers owned and operated by the utility.
(
Los Angeles County
)
Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Los Angeles County on Wednesday announced that they had filed separate lawsuits in L.A. County Superior Court against Southern California Edison for its alleged role in the deadly Eaton Fire.
The lawsuits accuse SoCal Edison’s equipment of starting the fire in Eaton Canyon, citing reports that the utility filed with the California Public Utilities Commission that a “fault was detected” at or near the same time.
The cities and county also point to photos and videos that show fire near the base of SoCal Edison transmission towers.
The lawsuits are looking to cover damages from the Eaton Fire, which burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 9,000 structures, and killed at least 17 people in January. L.A. County alone estimates that damages will total hundreds of millions of dollars or more.
Support for LAist comes from
Sierra Madre Mayor Robert Parkhurst said in a statement that the fire devastated irreplaceable wilderness areas that are central to the city’s identity and character.
"What makes this disaster particularly troubling is its preventability," Parkhurst said in a statement. "The documented weather warnings provided Edison with ample notice of the dangerous conditions developing in our community."
A spokesperson for SoCal Edison told LAist that they “are reviewing the lawsuits that were recently filed and will address them through the appropriate legal process.”
The details
The cities and county are looking to cover costs for destroyed infrastructure, parks, road damage, cleanup efforts, overtime for employees and lost taxes, among others.
“We are committed to seeking justice for the Altadena community and the taxpayers of Los Angeles County,” Dawyn R. Harrison, the county counsel who filed the case, said in a statement.
Support for LAist comes from
All three lawsuits accuse SoCal Edison of having “negligently failed” to safely inspect and maintain its equipment — and the vegetation around it.
They also allege that SoCal Edison didn’t de-energize all of its electrical equipment in and around Eaton Canyon, despite being warned of the destructive windstorm and extreme fire weather conditions days in advance by the National Weather Service.
“Despite its knowledge of extreme fire risk, [SoCal Edison] deliberately prioritized profits over safety,” the lawsuits allege.
The utility is accused of having a “history of safety failures,” with the lawsuits pointing to at least eight other wildfires, including the 2017 Thomas and 2018 Woolsey fires, which burned more than 370,000 acres altogether.
Lisa Derderian, public information officer for Pasadena, said in a statement that the city has a responsibility to pursue appropriate compensation for the costs of rebuilding the public infrastructure the community relies upon.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist