2:43 pm - February 23, 2025
Southern California Edison Admits Possible Link to Hurst Fire and Calls for soaring transparency in Eaton Fire Investigation
In a significant move, Southern California Edison (SCE) has admitted that its equipment "may be associated with" the ignition of the Hurst Fire, one of the blazes that erupted during last month’s unprecedented Los Angeles firestorms. The company made the disclosure in a filing submitted to state utility regulators, marking a rare instance where a utility company has taken ownership of potential responsibility for a major wildfire. The Hurst Fire, which burned approximately 799 acres in Los Angeles County over eight days, did not result in any fatalities or structural damage, according to Cal Fire. However, the company’s statement underscores the Domino effect of the crises, as the firestorms devastated neighborhoods and displaced thousands across the region.
The filing comes after SCE acknowledged that fire agencies were investigating whether its equipment might have started the Hurst Fire. SCE emphasized that, without additional evidence, it is making the admission based on a preliminary assessment. The company continues to cooperate with authorities as the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County’s Coordinated Joint Information Center have declined to comment on the filing, signaling a wait-and-see approach from local officials.
In a separate filing on Thursday, SCE addressed videos showing the early stages of the Eaton Fire, a devastating blaze that claimed at least 17 lives and destroyed over 9,000 structures. The company expressed concern that these videos may suggest a possible link between its equipment and the ignition of the Eaton Fire. While SCE has not yet identified "typical or obvious indications" of a connection, it is taking the matter seriously and is actively investigating potential causes. In a video message, Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of SCE’s parent company, Edison International, said the company is "very aware of the significant impact" of the Eaton Fire and is committed to helping communities rebuild.
The company highlighted that preliminary investigations found no "broken conductors, fresh arc marks in the preliminary origin area, or evidence of faults on the energized lines running through that area." This statement suggests that SCE has not yet found conclusive evidence linking its equipment to the Eaton Fire. Nevertheless, the acknowledgment of the videos and the potential connection has raised questions about the role of utility companies in wildfire prevention and response. SCE’s public statements have been met with a mix of concern and skepticism, as many are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the investigation.
The Eaton Fire, which burned over 14,000 acres before being fully contained last week, is still under investigation. While SCE has not definitively linked its equipment to the fire, the early stages of the blaze as seen in the videos have prompted a renewed focus on the challenges utilities face in managing power lines in fire-prone areas. SCE and Edison International havepledged to work with authorities and community leaders to address the root causes of the fires and improve safety measures.
As the region continues to rebuild, the admission by SCE and the ongoing investigation into the Eaton Fire have sparked broader conversations about the role of utilities in wildfire prevention and their responsibility in communities. With lives and homes destroyed, the focus has shifted to ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future. CNN’s Andy Rose contributed to this reporting.