Crews will begin removing Southern California Edison (SCE) transmission towers in Eaton Canyon next week as part of an ongoing investigation into the Eaton Fire, which started on January 7, 2025. The blaze destroyed nearly 7,000 homes in Altadena and killed 18 people. Attorneys announced this development in court on Thursday.
The fire, also known as the Altadena Fire, quickly spread to nearly 14,000 acres within two days, fueled by extreme Santa Ana winds and dry conditions. According to Cal Fire, the blaze resulted in 18 civilian deaths and nine firefighter injuries.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against SCE, alleging that its equipment may have sparked the fire. Los Angeles County is among the plaintiffs, seeking to recover costs and damages from the fire’s destruction. The county’s lawsuit claims that the fire started under SCE’s transmission lines, with photographic evidence suggesting potential arcing and damage to the equipment. County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison stated that the damages could total hundreds of millions of dollars.
The investigation into SCE’s role in the fire is ongoing, with the company cooperating fully. SCE has filed reports with the California Public Utilities Commission, indicating that a “fault” occurred on its transmission line around the time the fire started. The California Wildfire Fund may be used to help pay settlements if SCE is found liable.
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