- Los Angeles County Fire officials have concluded that the deadly 2025 Eaton fire, which resulted in 19 fatalities and the destruction or damage of over 9,000 homes and businesses, was caused by electrical arcing events on an out-of-service Southern California Edison tower.
- The 18-month investigation, conducted jointly with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), determined that burning material falling from the tower ignited dry brush below, leading to the blaze that scorched 22 square miles across the San Gabriel Mountains, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and La Canada Flintridge.
- The blaze was sparked in January 2025 during extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures, low humidity, and powerful winds, and took nearly a month for firefighters to extinguish.
- “We have taken our potential role in the start of this fire seriously from the very beginning,” Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, said, adding that SCE previously acknowledged “it was likely our equipment was associated with the ignition of the Eaton Fire.”
- Eighteen of the 19 people who died in the fire lived in west Altadena, and the utility stated it continues to support the community as it recovers.
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