US prosecutors sue Southern California Edison over wildfires in LA County, Inland Empire

Federal prosecutors have filed two lawsuits against Southern California Edison, claiming the utility's negligence caused two destructive wildfires that burned in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles announced the lawsuits Thursday morning in response to the Eaton Fire in January, which burned through Altadena and parts of Pasadena, and the Fairview Fire in 2022, which started in Hemet.

Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli said the lawsuits allege a "troubling pattern of negligence" that resulted in loss of life and property.

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“Edison is responsible, but for Edison's negligence, these fires would not have started,” Essayli said during a news conference.

The lawsuits seek more than $40 million in damages for the Eaton Fire and approximately $37 million for the Fairview Fire. Those numbers represent the damage and costs incurred by the federal government, according to the U.S Attorney's Office.

Essayli said he wants SoCal Edison to bear the burden of the cost of the destruction, not California ratepayers.

Diane Castro, a SoCal Edison spokesperson, told LAist the company is reviewing the lawsuits and will respond through "appropriate legal channels."

"Our thoughts are with the community impacted by the Fairview Fire," she said. "We continue our work to reduce the likelihood of our equipment starting a wildfire. SCE is committed to wildfire mitigation through grid hardening, situational awareness, and enhanced operational practices.”

For the Eaton Fire, Castro said it was heartbreaking for many who live and work in the Los Angeles area.

How we got here

The Eaton Fire, which ignited Jan. 7, burned nearly 8,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest, killed 19 people and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures — many of them homes.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said the fire started because of "faulty power infrastructure owned, maintained, and operated" by Southern California Edison.

The lawsuit alleges that the utility failed to properly maintain the power lines in the area.

An investigation to determine an official cause of ignition remains ongoing. However, Essayli said his office believes the evidence is clear that SoCal Edison was at fault.

“We want Edison to change the way it does business," Essayli said. "It does not maintain its infrastructure in a way to prevent fires. We do not want another fire igniting.”

Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Los Angeles County also previously filed separate lawsuits against SoCal Edison for its alleged role in the Eaton Fire.

The Fairview Fire started after a sagging power line "owned, maintained and operated by SoCal Edison" came into contact with a Frontier communications messenger cable on Sept. 5, 2022. That created sparks that ignited vegetation, prosecutors said.

The fire burned nearly 14,000 acres within the San Bernardino National Forest, the fire burned 44 structures, killed two people and injured three others — including two firefighters.