Eaton Fire in Los Angeles Caused by Utility Tower, Report Confirms
A newly released report has confirmed that the devastating Eaton Fire, which occurred in January 2025 in Los Angeles County, was caused by electrical arcing from an out-of-service tower owned by Southern California Edison (SCE). The fire, which burned 22 square miles (57 square kilometers), killed 19 people and destroyed or damaged over 9,000 homes and businesses. The investigation, conducted by the Los Angeles County Arson Fire Investigation Unit and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, concluded that the utility company failed to maintain its equipment in a manner that minimized wildfire risks. The fire ignited under extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, and quickly spread through dry grass and brush, engulfing areas such as the San Gabriel Mountains, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and La Cañada Flintridge. 
