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.
Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles 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 about $55.
“Our hearts are with the communities affected by the wildfires in Southern California,” SCE spokesman 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 Los Angeles County isn’t the only one the electricity provider is facing. Pasadena and Sierra Madre are also suing SCE.
California is in the middle of its wildfire season, and more fires could start.
