More than 18 months after the deadly Eaton Fire tore through Altadena and neighboring communities, Los Angeles County fire investigators have concluded that Southern California Edison equipment sparked the blaze, a finding that could have major implications for ongoing lawsuits and the region's recovery efforts.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department and Cal Fire said Tuesday that the Jan. 7, 2025, wildfire was caused by electrical arcing from an out-of-service Southern California Edison transmission tower in Eaton Canyon. Investigators said hot material fell from the tower into dry vegetation below, igniting a fire that rapidly spread during powerful Santa Ana wind conditions.
Southern California Edison said it is reviewing the investigative
report. The utility previously acknowledged the possibility that its equipment was likely involved in igniting the fire.
The utility said through its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, more than 4,000 claims have been submitted, and more than half have been paid, totaling more than $375 million. More claims are awaiting review, the utility added.
"Our hearts are with the Altadena community, and we continue to support them as they recover and rebuild through our Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program. We received the LA County Fire report and are reviewing it," Southern California Edison Spokesperson David Eisenhauer told USA TODAY on Tuesday. "We have taken our potential role in the start of this fire seriously from the beginning. As we’ve previously said, SCE believes that it is likely that its equipment was associated with the ignition of the Eaton Fire."
The investigation "confirms what the world already knew," Joy Chen, executive director of the Every Fire Survivor's Network, a grassroots nonprofit of more than 10,000 members who are Eaton and Palisades fire survivors. "The real story isn't who caused the fire; It's who pays."
Chen believes that not all affected residents will receive full compensation for their losses. Chen claims that Gov. Gavin Newsom is secretly negotiating a bailout that could reduce what SoCal Edison owes fire survivors.
Newsom's office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
Investigation points to unused transmission tower as origin of Eaton Fire
According to the investigative report, video evidence showed two electrical arcing events occurring in quick succession on an out-of-service transmission line. Investigators said glowing material fell into dry brush beneath the tower, igniting vegetation roughly 12 seconds later.
Officials said the investigation involved electrical and metallurgical experts and an 18-month review of physical evidence, videos and environmental conditions surrounding the fire.
Investigators said California law requires utilities such as Southern California Edison to maintain electrical equipment in a manner that minimizes wildfire risk.
Andrew Wessels, a strategy director for theEvery Fire Survivors Network, who co-wrote a 51-page report, "Fix What You Broke," told USA TODAY Tuesday he wished it didn't take an investigation for Edison to acknowledge what was long known about the fire's cause. Wessels said he remains critical of Edison’s efforts, its compensation program, and he still believes the utility can do more to step up.
"This is another step that will continue to help us move forward. We really wished Edison had advanced this investigation on their own rather than trying to slow down the process as much as possible," said Wessels, whose home was severely damaged by smoke from the fire. "The fight ahead is longer than the fight behind us. We still have over 6,000 homes that need to be rebuilt."
What was the Eaton Fire?
The Eaton Fire ignited on Jan. 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon near Altadena as Southern California experienced one of its most dangerous wind events in years. Fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, low humidity and exceptionally dry vegetation, flames spread rapidly into residential neighborhoods across Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and nearby foothill communities.
The wildfire burned for nearly a monthbefore being fully contained on Jan. 31, 2025. It scorched roughly 14,000 acres, making it one of the most destructive fires in California history.
How much damage did the Eaton Fire cause?
The Eaton Fire ranks among the deadliest and most destructive wildfires ever recorded in California.
According to county and state fire officials, the blaze:
- Killed 19 people.
- Destroyed more than 9,400 structures.
- Damaged more than 1,000 additional structures.
- Forced the evacuation of more than 100,000 residents.
- Burned approximately 14,021 acres.
Investigators said more than 9,000 homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged in Altadena and surrounding communities. Eighteen of the 19 victims lived in west Altadena, an area that suffered some of the heaviest losses.
Economic costs of Eaton Fire reached into the billions
The fire's financial toll has been staggering.
Estimates place the Eaton Fire's overall cost at roughly $27.5 billion when property damage, economic disruption and recovery expenses are included.
A Los Angeles County fact sheet estimated that the Eaton and Palisades fires together resulted in billions of dollars in lost economic output, affected thousands of businesses and disrupted tens of thousands of jobs across the region.
In July, Southern California Edison announced it had paid more than $314 million to fire victims through its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Eaton Fire caused by Southern California Edison equipment, probe says
