Start of Eaton Fire Focus Attention on Southern California Edison

On the evening of Jan. 7, a resident of a neighborhood near the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California witnessed a bright white light followed by a small fire at the base of an electrical tower in Eaton Canyon. Another neighbor reported flickering lights before spotting fire under the tower.

Investigations into the deadly Eaton fire, which claimed 17 lives, have suggested that the fire originated in the brushy hillside where electrical lines run up Eaton Canyon. Despite this, Southern California Edison, the utility responsible for the electricity infrastructure in Los Angeles, has stated that there was no record of an electrical failure in the area and that low-voltage distribution lines had been de-energized before the fire started.

While the official cause of the fire is still pending investigation, evidence indicates that the fire likely started in the dry grass below a set of transmission towers carrying high-energy power lines. The towers were subjected to strong winds of up to 100 miles per hour that evening.

A surveillance video from a gas station near the towers captured flashes of light at 6:11 p.m. followed by flames, aligning with eyewitness accounts. The video’s location could provide crucial information in determining if power lines were involved in igniting the fire.

The flashes seen in the video, corroborated by other footage, may help establish the cause of the deadliest fire in Los Angeles. Despite guidelines to de-energize transmission lines during high winds, the high-voltage lines remained active during the fire.

Southern California Edison officials were unaware of the new video until recently and have requested it be shared with investigators promptly.

The investigation into the fire’s cause, which led to extensive damage and financial losses, will likely determine liability. Legislation in California shields utilities from excessive liability in the event of wildfires, similar to the situation faced by PG&E after the 2018 Camp fire.

The stock of Southern California Edison’s parent company has declined amid concerns over liability. However, the legislation passed in 2019 provides some protection to public utilities in the state.

Southern California Edison initially denied any equipment failure as the cause of the fire. The utility has shifted its stance following new evidence and is cooperating with the investigation.

Newly shared video footage shows the early stages of the fire beneath an electrical tower, aligning with eyewitness reports. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Cal Fire investigators have been examining the transmission towers in Eaton Canyon in search of evidence related to the fire.

The presence of discoloration and metal debris on the towers near the fire’s origin point suggests a possible connection to the fire’s ignition.

Whisker Labs detected electrical faults in the area around 6 p.m., adding to the investigation into the fire’s cause.

Southern California Edison’s account of events surrounding the fire has evolved, with recent acknowledgments of electrical faults in the area prior to the fire’s start.

Transmission equipment on high-voltage lines can pose fire risks during wind events, potentially leading to arcing and sparks that ignite fires.

Investigators have been conducting thorough examinations of the transmission towers in the aftermath of the fire.

Southern California Edison’s decision to shut off power to certain areas before the fire highlights the complex criteria involved in managing wildfire risks.

Legal battles are expected as lawsuits are filed against Edison on behalf of those affected by the fire. The utility is compelled to provide data related to the fire’s origin area following a court order.