Our Wildfire Attorneys filed one of the first Eaton Fire lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE) to recover compensation for our clients’ fire losses. On January 17, 2025, the lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers and its legal teams currently represent thousands of households and businesses impacted by the Eaton Fire.
If you or your loved one has incurred any of the following losses in the Eaton Fire, call now to speak with a member of our Eaton Fire legal team. We will provide a free and thorough consultation to determine how we can help you.
We will fight SCE to get you and your family compensation for the following damages and losses caused by SCE’s negligence:
- Costs to repair or replace your property or home
- Evacuation-related costs
- Rental home loss
- Emotional distress
- Loss of wages
- Lost personal property or belongings
- Smoke inhalation
- Injury
- Wrongful death
- Medical bills
- Pool damage
- Funeral or burial costs
- Land value depreciation
- Damaged underwood, trees or timber
- Lost crops
- Smoke-related destruction
- Lost or hurt livestock or pets
- Business interruption
- Business losses
We are actively filing lawsuits for evacuations, damages, losses and injuries against Southern California Edison. Our legal teams possess the knowledge and experience required to aggressively pursue your Eaton Fire claim. We and our partners have recovered in excess of $1 billion for previous California wildfire victims. We are a local law firm and have successfully obtained recoveries from utility companies on behalf of clients for the Thomas, Woolsey, Camp, North Bay and Wine Country, Fairview, Fly, Zogg, Mill, and Mosquito fires. Because of our experience, we have attorneys, resources and experts in place to hit the ground running in pursuit of justice for our clients.
If you were under a mandatory evacuation order, suffered an injury, damage or losses, call us now for a free consultation at (626) 741-3211. There is absolutely no upfront cost for our Eaton Fire Legal Teams to pursue a claim on your behalf against SCE. We never collect a legal fee for our services until we recover compensation for you. Our legal fee is an agreed-upon percentage of any compensation recovered. More than a year has passed since the fire first ignited, there are strict time limits to make a claim. Contact us now to preserve your right to compensation.
Table of Contents
- What Caused the Eaton Canyon Fire?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Resources
- Eaton Fire Updates
- Rent Gouging
- Contact an Eaton Canyon Wildfire Attorney Today
What Caused the Eaton Canyon Fire?
The Eaton Fire starting underneath an SCE electrical tower
The cause of the Eaton Fire is downed high power lines owned by Southern California Edison. SCE is liable for all damages caused by the Eaton Fire under California inverse condemnation law and we will recover compensation from SCE for your fire-related losses.
Residents reported to 911 on January 7, 2025 that an electrical tower caught fire in the area of the fire.
Our lawsuit was filed on January 15, 2025 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that Southern California Edison is responsible for the fire. The lawsuit alleges that the fire is the result of SCE failing to shut the power off despite dangerous fire weather, failing to properly maintain its equipment and failing to properly maintain the vegetation surrounding its equipment. The complaint contains multiple photographs of what appears to be the start of a wildfire directly underneath transmission towers in Eaton Canyon.
On January 26, 2025, the New York Times published an article containing additional information regarding the possible source of the Eaton Fire. The article contains security camera footage of flashes of light near Eaton Canyon electrical towers, with flames appearing moments later. The footage labels the flashes of light as “signs of arcing.” The article notes that the footage supports what was seen by residents. One resident, according to the article, saw a “flash of light” which was followed by fire at the base of an electrical tower. The article also notes that Whisker Labs, a company who has sensors which detect abnormal electrical activity on wires, detected faults in the area around 6 PM on January 7, 2025. Inciweb lists 6:18 PM as the official origin of the fire.
A strong Santa Ana winds event contributed to the size and rapid spread of the fire.
NPR Investigation Finds Altadena Distribution Lines Failed in Hours Prior to Eaton Fire
An NPR investigation has found that SCE distribution lines in Altadena failed in the hours prior to the Eaton Fire.
The investigation found that:
- Distribution lines malfunctioned in Altadena a total of three times on January 7.
- The first malfunction occurred at 11:02 AM, seven hours prior to the Eaton Fire starting.
- The other malfunctions occurred at 6:52 PM and 9:38 PM.
The fact that a distribution line malfunctioned in Altadena seven hours prior to the Eaton Fire starting, presumably because of high winds, calls into question SCE’s decision to not shut off power to many Altadena-area circuits on January 7.
According to the investigation:
- A distribution line-sparked fire started in Altadena hours before the Eaton Fire was sparked.
- Distribution lines malfunctioned over 200 times in the Los Angeles region on January 7.
- Firefighters were dispatched to Altadena locations to deal with wires arcing or down 30 times prior to the Eaton Fire starting.
- While SCE shut down parts of two Altadena circuits at around 3:30 PM and parts of two more Altadena circuits by 9:46 PM, the utility did not shut off any parts of eight other Altadena circuits on January 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Eaton Fire Lawyers Cost?
We are contingency fee lawyers. This means that we will not charge you any fee to handle your Eaton Fire claim until and unless we recover financial compensation from SCE on your behalf. You won’t owe us any money out of your own pocket since our only fee is a percentage of any compensation we recover for you.
What Can I Expect in a Lawsuit Against SCE?
You will be able to expect our lawyers to handle virtually every aspect of your case. This will let you focus on recovering from the fire.
At some points during your case, we’ll need to work along with you in order to gather documents and additional information that is necessary in order to strengthen your case. As an example, our legal team will collect details regarding your losses as well as ask you to send any pictures you have regarding your property before the fire. We’ll ask you to track and keep documents relating to your home, such as deeds, insurance documents, rental agreements, mortgage information, and receipts for costs incurred due to being displaced.
Can I Recover Compensation for Emotional Distress?
Yes. Wildfires can have profound psychological impacts on victims, who can seek financial compensation for any mental and emotional trauma endured due to a wildfire.
How Long Will My Case Take?
Litigation typically takes time. The court process often moves slowly. Based upon the experience we have in the past, cases like these take numerous years to finish. Our legal team will work diligently to keep your case moving forward.
What Is Involved in Long-Term Recovery From a Wildfire?
The process of long-term recovery after a wildfire includes processes such as accessing loans and grants for rehabilitation and reconstruction, community rebuilding efforts, and rebuilding homes.
Why Do I Need to File a Lawsuit?
Homeowners as well as renters can obtain benefits from filing lawsuits. Insurance will cover certain losses, but not the full extent of the harm that results from a fire.
By filing a lawsuit against SCE, you can seek financial compensation for losses which insurance won’t cover. This includes the substantial emotional distress which results from the loss of your home and belongings. It will also let survivors recover compensation for losses which they are underinsured for – such as rebuilding costs.
Do I Need an Attorney?
The legal process regarding filing a lawsuit against SCE is complicated and poses challenges which are unique. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through each step of the legal process, advocating for the most compensation possible which is available under California law.
Is There a Deadline to File an Eaton Fire Claim?
California has a statute of limitations for claims of fire damage. This statute is typically two years from the incident date. However, it is vital to begin the process as quickly as you can to make sure you do not miss a deadline as well as so evidence can be preserved.
Do I Need to Keep Paying My Mortgage?
You should make a call to your lender. After disasters like the Eaton Fire, there is traditionally a 90-day moratorium imposed by the Federal Housing Authority regarding foreclosures on FHA-insured loans. This allows homeowners, lenders and insurance carriers to work everything out. Your lender can advise you if your loan is an FHA loan and if they are recognizing this 90-day moratorium.
What if All of My Losses Aren’t Covered by Insurance?
If you have inadequate insurance coverage, you could have additional options for recovering compensation, such as:
- Filing a lawsuit against any parties responsible, such as SCE
- Applying for state or federal disaster assistance
The attorneys at our firm can help you to explore every available avenue for financial compensation.
Can I Keep Paying My Mortgage, Keeping Insurance Proceeds to Rebuild? I Do Not Want to Need to Obtain a New Loan Since Rates Will Increase
Banks are encouraged by regulators to have flexibility with customers following disasters like the Eaton Fire.
Typically you won’t be able to keep insurance proceeds and keep paying your mortgage. Lenders are typically “loss payees” under insurance policies. This means that lenders get paid from insurance proceeds first and you end up getting what’s left over. You’ll require a new loan in order to rebuild. However, no hard and fast rule exists. Banks are encouraged by regulators to provide flexibility with customers after disasters. The FDIC has sent banks a letter stating that easing new loans’ terms, restructuring existing loans, or extending repayment terms can contribute to community health and serve lending institutions’ long-term interests.
Calling your lender is a good starting point.
What Do I Do if I Can’t Find My Insurance Policy Info?
Your broker can give you a copy if you purchased your policy through them. If you bought your policy directly from an insurer, contact your insurer for a copy. Once you do this, an adjuster will contact you and work with you regarding your claim. Should you have any questions regarding this process, call us today for a free consultation.
Can SCE Be Held Responsible for Me Losing My Pet in the Eaton Fire?
When pets pass away in fires caused by utilities, it is recognized by the law that pets are practically family members. Utilities need to fully pay owners for emotional distress caused by the loss of the pet.
What if the Eaton Fire Affected My Business?
If the Eaton Fire affected your business, you could qualify to pursue compensation from SCE. Business owners who have been affected by the fire could qualify for financial compensation for:
- Business interruption losses
- Property damage
- Relocation expenses
- Loss of inventory
Our lawyers can help you to navigate both business-related and personal wildfire claims.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer if I Have Insurance?
There are multiple reasons why insurance won’t cover all wildfire losses:
- Insurance won’t cover many types of damages, like trees, landscaping, lost income, erosion or emotional damages
- Insurance companies depreciate property items so payouts won’t replace them
- Most fire victims are uninsured for business or personal losses
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers has fought successfully in order to recover funds for homeowners who are insured, and to compensate insured homeowners for losses which are uninsured, like damages which are related to inconvenience and stress caused by being displaced and the fire.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer if I Don’t Like the Concept of Lawsuits?
When tragedies occur, our clients end up finding that our team is helpful when it comes to dealing with emergency services and insurance companies, as well as recovering losses from utility companies who are responsible for fires. Our team of experienced wildfire lawyers and our staff will help you with these issues. You’ll always be able to access somebody who can offer assistance and answer your questions.
We WILL NOT take any percentage of what you recover from your insurance. We’ll help you with claims through your insurance without taking a part of your recovery from your insurance.
We often hire experts in home building, erosion, tree valuation, fire investigation, metallurgy and electrical engineering to establish liability in our clients’ cases and prove their damages. We know your damages may be unique, as well. We treat every case with individual attention and care.
SCE is liable for all damages caused by the Eaton Fire under California inverse condemnation law and we will recover compensation from SCE for your fire-related losses.
What if I Lack Insurance?
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers will help business owners, homeowners and renters who lacked insurance when the fire happened. The Eaton Fire was caused by SCE’s negligent, careless behavior, so you are entitled to financial compensation from SCE even if you don’t have insurance.
Do You Handle Wrongful Death Claims?
Yes. Our law firm has been handling complicated wrongful death claims against huge corporations since 1990. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients. Money can’t replace loved ones, but it is vital to hold corporations responsible for negligence.
Who Can File Wrongful Death Lawsuits?
Only specific people can file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of family members or loved ones in California.
The following people are able to file wrongful death lawsuits:
- The decedent’s children
- The decedent’s surviving spouse or domestic partner
When no surviving children, spouse or domestic partner exists, the following people may file wrongful death lawsuits:
- Parents
- Stepchildren
- A putative spouse (a spouse without a marriage which was valid under the law but who believes in good faith that their marriage was completely valid under the law of the State of California)
- A putative spouse’s children
- A decedent’s dependents
Is There a Time Limit to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In California, for most wrongful death cases, the time limit is two years from the date of death for filing your wrongful death lawsuit. We have handled hundreds of wrongful death cases. We know how hard it is to talk about your case. It is vital, though, for you to contact a lawyer when you’re ready to talk about it so you can understand your legal rights fully.
What Compensation Is Available in Wrongful Death Cases?
Wrongful death cases provide financial compensation for losses. This includes compensation for medical bills which were incurred prior to death as well as burial and funeral expenses.
You can also recover economic damages like lost income.
Just as important are non-economic damages you may recover, such as pain and suffering from losing your loved one.
What if I Am a Renter?
We represent renters. Renters often lose all possessions in wildfires. They then have significant losses of personal property. Things like clothing, cookware and furniture are expensive to replace. Renters may also claim intangible damages which are related to anguish and stress caused by wildfires and their aftermath.
What if My Business Interruption Limits Get Reached?
Most insurance policies which cover businesses have components known as Business Interruption Insurance or Business Interruption Coverage. This coverage supplements or replaces business income during downtime.
Depending upon policy limits as well as how much damage occurred, the limits could get exhausted prior to your business being able to open again. Our experts can help you to ascertain and maximize business interruption claims. Losses beyond and above your coverage are losses we will try to recover from SCE.
As with homeowners’ claims, we WILL NOT take a portion of your recovery from your insurance. That recovery belongs to you and only you.
Can I Recover Damages for Lost Trees?
Yes. Residential trees serve a lot of purposes: sheltering wildlife, purifying air, functioning as windbreaks, providing shade, serving as privacy screens, framing homes and providing background for homes. These functions and others give trees significant value.
A lot of people who suffer property damage in wildfires don’t know how much a mature tree is worth. They can sometimes be worth over $10,000. You have a legal right to compensation for all property damage, including lost trees which took years and years to grow.
Our firm works closely with pro arborists who assist us in determining how much trees are worth based on their size, type, aesthetic contribution, function, placement and condition. This expert assistance allows us to prove what trees are worth. We work to make sure you’re adequately compensated for lost trees.
Can I Sue Over My Injuries?
Yes. Fires can lead to burns and smoke inhalation. We can help Eaton Fire victims recover compensation for injuries caused by the negligence of SCE.
We have decades of experience as well as a track record of successfully recovering compensation for clients who suffer wildfire-related injuries, lost property and long-term health issues. We are completely prepared to fight for compensation for economic losses like medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages like psychological trauma, emotional anguish, disfigurement, pain and suffering.
Wildfires have been linked with numerous health effects, including:
- Lung and heart injuries
- Suicides and overdose deaths
- Excess deaths due to smoke inhalation and reduced access to healthcare
- COVID-19 infections
- Cognitive deficits
If you or a loved one has suffered any injury or health effect due to the Eaton Fire, our firm can help you recover financial compensation for it.
Why Should I Hire Your Eaton Fire Lawyers?
- We know exactly how to handle these claims because we’ve handled wildfire claims before. We’ve handled countless wildfire claims since 2017 and we and our partners have recovered over $1 billion for wildfire victims.
- Our legal team is large enough to take SCE on and has been fighting against huge corporations since 1990.
- Our legal team is composed of California attorneys and we are located in Los Angeles.
- Our legal team possesses the financial resources necessary to see your case through to the very end.
- Other law firms claim they will hold SCE responsible but haven’t done so before. Those firms don’t know what is necessary. We do.
Eaton Fire Lawsuit Update
January 21, 2026 Update
A California state bill which would require the removal of decommissioned and abandoned power lines ended up clearing the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee with bipartisan support last week.
Senate Bill 742 mandates that investor-owned utilities dismantle lines which are permanently abandoned. It also strengthens communications regarding local jurisdictions in order to improve public safety and emergency response.
Investigators suspect that an abandoned power line is responsible for starting the Eaton Fire, which killed 19 people, burned 14,021 acres and destroyed over 9,000 structures.
The legislation would update General Order 95 from the California Public Utilities Commission in order to require that unused lines be removed.
December saw regulators order Southern California Edison to assess the fire risks associated with 355 miles of idle power lines after the company’s executives said they didn’t have plans to remove unused lines before 2028.
January 8, 2026 Update
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that, in the three months following the major wildfires which burned in the Los Angeles area, the city saw 50 percent more heart attacks.
The study suggests that wildfire smoke could be a lot more harmful than thought previously.
The study found that air pollution levels were significantly raised by the fires, finding that the air in Los Angeles in the week after the wildfires had over six times more particulate matter than in the week prior to the fires.
The study found that the three months after the fires saw:
- 46 percent more heart attacks
- 24 percent more lung conditions
- 118 percent more systemic illnesses requiring emergency attention, such as sepsis, head injuries, high blood pressure, dysrhythmia and lower respiratory illnesses
- More than twice the amount of abnormal blood test results
December 30, 2025 Update
Southern California Edison has been ordered by state regulators to identify fire risks linked with its unused transmission lines, such as the 100-year-old equipment which many suspect started the Eaton Fire.
The utility must also tell regulators how their 355 miles of transmission lines, which are out-of-service and located in high fire risk areas, will be used going forward.
Utilities are required by state regulations to remove lines that are abandoned so they do not become public hazards. According to Edison executives, the utility didn’t remove its Eaton Canyon line since it thought it would get used in the future. That line was last used in 1971.
The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (OEIS) has now said that Edison needs to figure out what transmission lines are at the highest risk of starting fires and come up with a plan to mitigate that risk. This may mean entirely removing the equipment in some cases.
Edison has stated that the leading theory into the cause of the Eaton Fire is that the dormant Eaton Canyon transmission line sparked the fire after briefly reenergizing.
A process known as induction can cause unused lines to become energized via electrified lines which run parallel to them.
The latest directives were issued by the OEIS after executives with Edison told them they didn’t have plans to remove out-of-service lines until at least 2028.
An OEIS report found that Edison is behind in reinforcing or replacing deteriorating and aging distribution and transmission poles, including equipment in some of the utility’s riskiest circuits.
November 20, 2025 Update
A wrongful death lawsuit was filed on November 16 by the representative of the estate of a woman who died in the Eaton Fire.
The lawsuit names Southern California Edison and Genasys Inc. as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that, due to the defective design of the alert system created by Genasys, Altadena residents just five to six blocks from the deceased woman’s home received an Evacuation Advisory, an Evacuation Warning, and two Evacuation Orders on January 7, while the deceased woman received none of these, only receiving an Evacuation Order at 5:43 AM the next day.
The lawsuit alleges that this was the result of pre-formulated evacuation zones in the Genasys software which were based on what side of a street an individual lived on.
The lawsuit alleges that the evacuation zones weren’t targeted to residents like the infirm or elderly who may need more time to evacuate, or for those who lack internet or cell phone service.
The lawsuit claims that Genasys’ negligently and defectively designed software was a proximate and producing cause of the woman’s death.
The lawsuit also alleges that Southern California Edison’s power lines caused the fire.
The lawsuit accuses Southern California Edison of:
- Failing to shut off the power in its Eaton Canyon transmission lines despite having ample warning from the National Weather Service of impending high winds and dangerous fire weather
- Having a history of causing wildfires
- Knowing their transmission facilities caused the Camp Fire and Kincade Fire
- Consciously ignored lessons from those fires
- Negligently maintained, inspected, constructed and designed their electrical transmission facilities
- Negligently maintained their adjacent vegetation, rights of way and easements
- Consciously disregarded risks associated with transmission facilities
October 9, 2025 Update
Victims of the Eaton Fire gathered in Altadena today to demand that SCE offer more compensation to those affected by the wildfire.
The group claims that Edison’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program is inadequate for the needs of Eaton Fire surivors.
The group, the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, have released a report containing recommendations as to what would constitute a “fair and fully funded” recovery program from Edison.
The group is recommending that SCE:
- Cover all fire losses, not just losses covered by insurance
- Include everybody harmed by the fire in the program
- Pay survivors for housing until they can rebuild or return home
The report claims that SCE’s plan:
- Mimics insurance and uses “unlawful tactics”
- Minimizes or excludes smoke-damaged homes
- Offers $10,000 for smoke damage despite smoke damage cleanup typically costing from $50,000 to $150,000
- Ignores microscopic particulates insides furnishings, vents and walls, as well as toxic ash in soil – which has been ruled illegal by courts for insurers
- Deducts survivors’ full insurance coverage values from payouts instead of just what was actually paid
- Will deduct $600,000 from its payout if a survivor’s home was insured for $600,000 but their insurer only paid them $200,000
- Features an exploitative “early settlement” option where survivors can accept 30 percent of their insurance coverage quickly but have to permanently give up on the remaining 70 percent
- Will pay survivors less than even what bankrupt PG&E paid fire victims
The report also claims that SCE’s plan:
- Bases eligibility on a field map for firefighters that CAL FIRE warns shouldn’t be used to determine recovery program assistance, excluding survivors whose homes have been contaminated with toxic materials
- Values children at one-quarter the value of adults
- Only offers renters a flat $50,000, regardless of the loss or household size
- Only offers renters $10,000 for smoke damage despite cleanup often costing $100,000 or more
- Offers “no path for recovery” to small businesses
- Offers “limited support” for rebuilding contaminated businesses or business interruption
In addition, the report claims that SCE’s plan:
- Underfunds temporary housing
- Offers around $3,750 per month in rent support to families who lived in a home worth $1.5 million, even though comparable rents in the area are now $6,500 to $9,500 per month
- Offers little or no housing assistance to survivors with standing homes that are uninhabitable
- Pays survivors less money than the law requires that insurers pay them
September 5, 2025 Update
The United States government has filed two lawsuits against SCE, blaming its equipment for starting two wildfires, including January’s Eaton Fire.
The United States Department of Justice filed the lawsuits in federal court in Los Angeles.
The lawsuits seek over $77 million in damages for SCE’s alleged negligence.
Acting U.S. attorney Bill Essayli said the fires wouldn’t have started “but for Edison’s negligence.”
One of the lawsuits blames the Eaton Fire on SCE’s power infrastructure.
The other lawsuit claims that an SCE power line caused 2022’s Fairview Fire.
The lawsuits allege the utility knew that fires could be started by high winds, but failed to perform equipment upgrades to mitigate risks.
The lawsuits seek over $40 million in damages for the Eaton Fire and $37 million in damages for the Fairview Fire.
August 1, 2025 Update
Southern California Edison announced on July 23 that it was creating a wildfire compensation program for Eaton Fire victims.
Edison has been fighting us in court, arguing to delay trials, telling courts that they can’t mediate since they don’t know what their liability is. However, now they’ve come out publicly, announcing a compensation program. They speak out of both sides of their mouth. They are not to be trusted.
The Edison program will end up offering fire victims 20 to 30 cents on the dollar compared to what we will obtain for Eaton Fire victims through the legal process and a mediated settlement. We can get fire victims much more than what Edison will offer, even after attorney’s fees are taken into account. You can be assured of that.
We will be able to net homeowners, after attorney’s fees are considered, at least twice what they’d get through Edison’s compensation program.
PG&E attempted to shortchange fire victims after the Dixie Fire in the same way, by advertising a similar program. Its participation rate was only five to 10 percent of Dixie Fire victims, though, as the Dixie Fire victims saw through PG&E’s blatant attempt to rip them off.
Edison has offered the compensation program because they’re hoping that a substantial number of fire victims who haven’t hired lawyers yet will get involved in the program, allowing Edison to save a ton of money by underpaying fire victims who don’t have lawyers. It is a calculated business decision to minimize their liability while generating positive publicity while fire victims lose out.
Edison’s program will short and underpay victims. Victims won’t be paid nearly as much as they would obtain through a lawsuit and mediated settlement.
Remember: fire victims will not receive a meaningful recovery from Edison. Edison is required by the law to pay:
- The full cost to rebuild destroyed homes and outbuildings
- The fair market value of all lost personal property and replacement housing
- The actual cost of retaining experts
- Interest on all of your damages
- Attorney’s fees
- The value of each fire victim’s emotional distress
SCE’s compensation program will not pay all of the above, but our firm will force SCE to pay all of the above. If you join SCE’s compensation program, you will sign away your rights to all of the above monetary damages and you will lose the ability to negotiate a fair, full settlement.
We will recover the fair compensation you deserve under the law through our negotiating skills. We are experts at negotiating settlements in wildfire cases against utility companies.
Do not communicate with SCE about the compensation program and do not sign any documents related to the program. If you are already our client, immediately contact us if Edison or its representatives attempt to directly contact you.
If you have not yet hired a law firm and are considering joining SCE’s compensation program, call us today for a FREE consultation at (626) 741-3211 so we can recover far more money for you than you’d get under SCE’s compensation program.
July 6, 2025 Update
Beryllium is being found in the homes in the Eaton Fire zone, according to a San Francisco Chronicle investigation.
Beryllium is extremely dangerous. A concentration in the air equivalent to a few salt grains in an Olympic swimming pool can spur the development of cancer or a lifelong, potentially fatal disease called chronic beryllium disease.
Test results have found the toxic metal in dozens of Southern California homes, and air quality monitors picked up elevated levels in Los Angeles’ outdoor air in May.
According to experts, this is the first time that the toxic metal has been found in a significant amount of homes after a wildfire. None of the experts interviewed by the Chronicle knew why the beryllium was present in the homes.
Worryingly, most homes which survived the Eaton Fire haven’t been tested for the toxic metal.
Tests by one homeowner found that the amount of beryllium on the floor of their home was over five times the level recommended by the United States Department of Energy regarding industrial equipment.
Beryllium exposure can cause lung cancer, chronic beryllium disease, persistent pink eye and skin lesions.
Chronic beryllium disease, or berylliosis, is a potentially fatal lung disease which can cause decreased lung function, fatigue, shortness of breath and chronic cough.
According to the Chronicle investigation, homeowners affected by the January fires are having difficulty getting their insurance companies to pay for things like testing and cleaning of homes.
June 30, 2025 Update
Case Management Conference Held in School District’s Lawsuit Against Edison
A case management conference is being held today in a lawsuit filed against Southern California Edison by the Pasadena Unified School District. The district is seeking financial compensation for significant damage sustained due to the Eaton Fire.
The district is alleging that Edison’s equipment caused the Eaton Fire, and is claiming that classrooms, athletic fields, libraries, performing arts facilities, after-school program facilities, parking lots and roads were damaged by the fire.
Five campuses in the district sustained significant damage. 80 percent of Franklin Elementary School was damaged.
The lawsuit notes that, in a regulatory filing, Edison acknowledged that “a fault was detected” in its lines seven minutes before the fire was first reported.
Prior to the fire starting, Red Flag warnings regarding extreme fire conditions had been issued by the National Weather Service.
Over 10,000 of the 14,000 students in the district were evacuated from their homes, and over 1,400 of the employees in the district live within zones that were evacuated.
Similar lawsuits have been filed by the city of Sierra Madre, the city of Pasadena and Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County Lawmaker Requesting Eaton Fire Response Audit
Assemblyman John Harabedian represents Pasadena and recently announced a decision to ask for a state audit to examine the responses to the Eaton and Palisades fires. The audits are meant to make sure that when similar issues arise in the future, Los Angeles County is prepared better.
Harabedian questioned why alerts didn’t go out in western Altadena, where the majority of deaths occurred, until the fire had already been burning for eight hours.
If the Joint Legislative Audit Committee approves his request, an audit will examine the response to the Palisades and Eaton fires, including investigations of vegetation management, first responders’ resources and evacuation orders.
Harabedian explained that the audit would focus on utility preparedness, equipment deployment, agency coordination and evacuation alerts, among other things.
Harabedian said he’d like to see improved communication and coordination during disasters in the future.
June 20, 2025 Update
California Utility Customers May Pay for Eaton Fire
Over 30 million residents of California may end up paying for the Eaton Fire via larger electric bills.
An early estimate has placed Eaton Fire losses between $24 billion and $45 billion. If an investigation concludes that Southern California Edison’s equipment started the fire on January 7, as many lawsuits claim, damage claims may quickly exhaust California’s $21 billion wildfire fund.
At a May meeting, it was revealed that legislative leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom were getting urged to extend a monthly charge on electric bills past its scheduled 2035 expiration. This charge, known as the non-bypassable charge, tacks on about $3 per month to an average residential electric bill.
This fee is paid by customers of Edison, PG&E and San Diego Gas & Electric.
Executives with PG&E have said they’ve asked that no additional money go from utilities or their shareholders into the wildfire fund. This would probably leave utility customers paying more.
It is expected that the non-bypassable charge will add $923 million to the wildfire fund this year. Extending the fee another 10 years would lead to customers paying $9 billion more into the fund.
Eaton Fire Survivor Fee Relief Approved
A motion to refund and defer county inspection and permitting fees for Eaton Fire survivors has been unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The motion immediately provides relief to homeowners who are rebuilding single-family homes in communities which are unincorporated. Refunds will be issued by the county to people who have already paid fees regarding qualifying rebuilding projects.
In order to qualify for fee refund or deferral, homeowners need to have owned and lived in the property prior to the Eaton Fire.
Permit fees are often in excess of $20,000. This presents a significant obstacle for Eaton Fire survivors.
June 15, 2025 Update
State Farm Facing Investigation
On June 12, it was announced by State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that the California Department of Insurance has launched a formal inquiry into the handling of thousands of Eaton Fire claims by State Farm General, the largest home insurer in California. The inquiry comes after policyholders’ complaints.
The department announced that a “market conduct examination” would take place. These exams usually take months.
The examination will end up assessing if State Farm has been in compliance with claims handling and consumer protection laws.
This decision came after widespread complaints about State Farm. Customers have complained that the company is fumbling the way it is handling Eaton Fire claims.
In April, homeowners held a protest outside of a State Farm claims tent in Pasadena, alleging the company has denied and delayed claims.
Anger over the company’s alleged mishandling of Eaton Fire claims has been exacerbated by the insurer requesting an emergency 17 percent rate hike because of its losses, which was granted by Lara last month.
The department said that there are “troubling patterns” in complaints it has received about State Farm, including:
- Inadequate information sharing and record keeping by claims teams
- Inconsistent handling of claims which are similar
- Frequent reassignment of multiple adjusters to single claims with inadequate continuity in communication
State Farm isn’t the only insurer who has faced criticism over the way it has handled the January wildfires. USAA and AAA got sued last week by fire victims who allege their policies left them with inadequate coverage to rebuild homes.
The California FAIR Plan Association is also facing over a half dozen lawsuits regarding smoke damage claims.
Pressure Mounting for Soil Testing
FEMA and the Newsom administration are facing calls from California’s elected officials to pay for soil testing at properties destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
FEMA has been heavily criticized for deciding not to test properties’ soil after wreckage and topsoil has been removed. This policy is different from how almost all wildfire recoveries in California have been previously handled.
State and federal disaster agencies have done soil sampling after each major wildfire since the year 2007 to make sure cleaned-up properties don’t have unhealthy levels of toxic metals such as lead. When the sampling has been done and high contaminant levels have been found, cleanup crews were typically deployed to remove more soil, after which more testing would be done. This process was repeated until the soil tested clean.
Following 2025’s L.A. wildfires, though, FEMA has refused to pay for soil testing. It contends that removing debris and six inches of topsoil is sufficient.
A letter sent on June 3 by 28 federal legislators has demanded that FEMA reassess this decision.
A letter sent on June 12 by four state legislators urged environmental regulators in California to step in and do soil testing if federal agencies continue to refuse to do it. It is recommended by the letter that state officials tap into a $2.5 billion emergency relief package that includes funding for cleanup of debris.
The letter argues that without government soil testing, homeowners will need to pay for soil testing themselves or risk returning to properties with unsafe soil contamination.
February saw Governor Newsom ask FEMA to reconsider soil testing, but this request was swiftly rejected by federal officials, who suggested that local and state officials should do the testing.
Last month saw environmental researchers send a letter to Newsom’s administration, urging California agencies to pay for the testing.
In a letter sent on June 6 in reply to those researchers, Yana Garcia, the CalEPA Secretary, downplayed risks of contamination from the wildfires, appearing to walk back the administration’s concerns about contamination.
Soil testing done by the Los Angeles Times in March found that homes which federal crews cleaned up still had high levels of arsenic and lead. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has also published data finding that 27 percent of soil collected at cleaned homes had high levels of lead.
June 4, 2025 Update
A Survivor Support Location opened in Altadena on Monday. The location will provide recovery resources and essential services to survivors of the Eaton Fire.
Representatives from several agencies will be at the location in order to offer assistance, including the DCBA, Assessor’s Offices, LA County’s Treasurer Tax Collector, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The location will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM. It is not required for residents to make appointments to receive services. Click here for more information.
In other news, a Long-Term Recovery Group has been formed by the Eaton Fire Collaborative. It is intended to address the needs of those affected by the Eaton Fire. The effort plans to unite government agencies, local nonprofits, community leaders and faith-based organizations to support survivors.
The group’s mission focuses on providing survivors with access to support, services and resources. The group stated its intent is to build long-term resilience in the community and address needs which are unmet.
More information can be found here.
May 26, 2025 Update
A lawsuit filed by Edison shareholders in Los Angeles in U.S. District Court alleges that directors and officers with Edison International misled investors regarding how effective its efforts were to reduce wildfire risks prior to the Eaton Fire.
The lawsuit points out repeated statements by Edison which said the company had reduced catastrophic wildfire risks by over 85 percent since 2018 via increasing tree trimming, equipment inspections and other work.
The lawsuit also accuses Edison of obfuscating the truth by making misleading and false statements about its role in the Eaton Fire. This claim is regarding early statements made by Edison in which the company detailed why it thought its equipment didn’t start the fire.
The lawsuit accuses directors and officers at Edison of “gross mismanagement,” claiming that they “unjustly enriched” themselves. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants received compensation that was undeserved and excessive because they didn’t carry out their duties.
In addition, according to a Los Angeles Times report, evidence is growing that human error may be to blame for a failure to evacuate Altadena during the Eaton Fire.
United States Representative Robert Garcia told the L.A. Times that it appears that human error led to delayed alerts in west Altadena.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger told the L.A. Times that she believes a “breakdown in the communication” between county sheriff, emergency management and fire officials likely occurred.
Genasys is a company which provides Los Angeles County with emergency alert software. Its chief executive told stockholders that delayed alerts in west Altadena weren’t due to technological error.
Residents of west Altadena told the L.A. Times that deputies were in their neighborhoods helping with evacuations about an hour and a half before an evacuation alert went out. It isn’t clear whether those deputies didn’t relay the conditions and the necessity for more evacuations, or if they did but it was ignored.
According to the L.A. Times, Los Angeles County had only recently started to use Genasys when the Eaton Fire occurred, and went through less testing and training than other counties who used the system. Public records show that only a single person was sending out alerts on the night that the Eaton Fire started.
Anonymous county government sources told the L.A. Times that the error in west Altadena wasn’t Office of Emergency Management officials’ fault – appearing to blame county sheriff or fire officials.
May 20, 2025 Update
Some victims of the Eaton Fire have said they have been told that they are ineligible for a relief grant program since their homes weren’t actually burned down, despite being reduced to just rubble and ash.
Fire victims are awarded up to $18,000 by the L.A. County Household Relief Grant. The grant can get used for things not covered by assistance such as insurance.
Two women have told CBS News that the program has denied them, claiming their homes still stand.
One woman said she was told to go back to her apartment and live in it. The other woman said her application wasn’t accepted due to her residence not being destroyed, despite her residence being reduced to rubble.
The two women have appealed the decisions and their appeals are pending.
In other news, swimming pools in the Eaton Fire burn area are becoming a concern as the stagnant water in them has ended up providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes which may carry disease.
Officials who are responsible for controlling mosquitoes claim they don’t have the necessary funds to sufficiently treat all pools which are now potential mosquito breeding grounds. This has sparked concern in an area which has seen recent spikes in cases of dengue fever, which is a potentially fatal disease.
Mid-May saw the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District identify 1,475 pools in the Eaton Fire burn area as containing stagnant water. The majority of these pools are in Altadena. The district has treated about half of them, using pesticides.
The agency claims it should be capable of treating the other half of the pools, but doesn’t have the funding to provide two follow-up applications, which experts say are necessary to keep preventing mosquitoes from breeding through the whole year.
Mosquitoes were found breeding in about 80 percent of the treated pools.
Mosquitoes in the area, in addition to dengue fever, can also transmit West Nile virus, another potentially fatal disease. Los Angeles County saw 35 cases of West Nile virus in 2024, including two deaths.
May 19, 2025 Update
The state law shielding utilities like Southern California Edison (SCE) from liability regarding wildfires came with a caveat: top executives for utilities would need to take pay cuts when their companies’ safety records decline.
SCE’s safety record declined in 2024. Its equipment sparked 178 fires that year, compared to 90 in 2023. Its employees suffered more serious injuries. Five of its contractors died.
Because of this, Edison International told California regulators that it cut bonuses awarded to executives – 5% cuts hit Edison International executives and 3% cuts hit SCE executives.
However, the cash bonuses awarded to four of the top five Edison executives actually increased in 2024, by up to 17 percent, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
The cash bonuses, according to the director of total rewards for Edison, increased due to performance on other responsibilities. The director said the bonus would have been larger if not for reductions related to safety.
Consumer advocates are arguing that the bonuses increasing despite the safety decline highlights a major flaw in AB 1054, which created a fund to pay for wildfire damages to make sure utilities don’t go bankrupt after causing wildfires.
In other news, 11 of Pasadena Unified School District’s schools have contaminated soil following the Eaton Fire, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
Over 40 percent of the schools’ soil contains too much lead, and over 20 percent of the schools’ soil contains too much arsenic.
Soil at Blair High School was found to have more than three times the allowable amount of lead.
Soil at San Rafael Elementary School was found to have more than seven times the allowable amount of arsenic.
No safe exposure level exists for lead or arsenic.
May 17, 2025 Update
Over 1.1 million tons of debris have been cleared from the Eaton Fire burn area by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This is equivalent to eight Dodger Stadiums in terms of volume.
About 79 percent of eligible properties have now been cleared. Cleanup operations are being expanded to include parks, schools and churches.
115 debris removal crews have been deployed in the Eaton Fire burn area. They have cleared about 65 properties per day.
5,665 Right of Entry forms were received by officials, and debris removal has been completed at over 4,450 properties.
Over 2,600 truckloads of debris are being moved per day as part of the operation.
April 29, 2025 Update
Additional Evidence Links Edison to Eaton Fire
On April 24, lawyers presented evidence at a Pasadena town hall meeting which they said links Southern California Edison (SCE) to the start of the Eaton Fire.
The lawyers revealed LiDAR analysis of some flashing which was displayed in an ARCO gas station’s surveillance video during the start of the fire.
The attorneys claimed that, following the initial flash, there is molten material seen falling from an SCE transmission tower. It is being claimed that when this molten material hit the ground during high wind conditions, it ignited dry brush at the base of the tower, leading to the Eaton Fire.
Edison Crews Remove Electrical Equipment From Eaton Fire Burn Area
On April 23, SCE crews removed lines of conductors and towers from the Eaton Fire burn area.
The equipment was removed via helicopter and was taken to another location for analysis.
The equipment removal is part of an ongoing investigation into the start of the Eaton Fire. SCE began removing towers and conductors associated with Eaton Canyon’s idle transmission lines on April 21.
The investigation has focused on an idle transmission line which may have sparked the fire after becoming energized through a phenomenon known as induction, where a nearby, active power line’s electromagnetic field energizes the idle line.
Bulk of Eaton Fire Debris Removal May Finish by June
Over one-third of the debris in the Eaton Fire burn area has been cleared by truck drivers, hazmat technicians, heavy-equipment operators and laborers as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris removal efforts. Officials say the bulk of the cleanup may finish by June. The Corps of Engineers projects total completion by January 2026.
The crews are clearing almost 120 lots per day.
As of April 17, 4,153 properties across the Palisades and Eaton burn zones were cleared, although many of those lots still require finishing touches such as erosion prevention efforts, fence installation around pools and hazardous tree removal.
Officers commanding the efforts say it is the largest the agency has ever done after a wildfire. Over one million tons of plants, earth, steel and concrete have been removed from burn areas, equaling the weight of 100 Eiffel Towers.
Asbestos has been found in over 60 percent of Altadena fire zone homes. Cleanup crews with respirators and white hazmat suits typically required as much as three days to scrape away asbestos and remove the asbestos in sealed containers.
There has been some criticism levied at FEMA’s decision to not conduct soil testing on lots that have been cleared. The criticism gained traction earlier in April when Los Angeles County testing found substantial levels of lead in the soil in and near the burn areas.
Residents around burn zones and near places where debris has been deposited have expressed fear that toxic substances could get released into the soil and air.
April 24, 2025 Update
This week, Southern California Edison will be taking down the idle transmission line which has become a central figure regarding the investigation into the Eaton Fire’s cause.
The utility is collaborating with lawyers who are suing it in order to analyze the line, known as the Mesa-Sylmar line. The line has been an idle line for over 50 years. It is suspected that the line became re-energized, sparking the fire which devastated Altadena.
Edison workers, on Tuesday, started removing power lines and conductors to prepare to disassemble two towers starting on April 30. Tower 208, one of the two towers, is where it is believe the fire started before killing 18 people and destroying over 9,000 structures.
The line could have gotten re-energized through induction, a phenomenon in which a nearby active line’s electromagnetic field re-energizes the idle line.
Over 130 lawsuits allege that SCE’s equipment started the Eaton Fire, accusing SCE of failing to maintain their equipment and the vegetation around it.
April 13, 2025 Update
April 15 is property owners’ deadline to sign up for a debris clearance program ran by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if they were affected by the Palisades or Eaton fires.
Insurance experts and government officials agree: anyone who is still weighing options should opt in and submit a form.
Opting in isn’t binding – homeowners can later withdraw if they wish to go with a private contractor instead.
Army Corps contractors and engineers will walk through properties with homeowners prior to beginning to clear debris. Crews will generally remove almost everything in the area where debris settled following the fire. This includes standing structures like chimneys and walls, cars and burned appliances. Hardscaping like driveway segments and sidewalk pavers where debris and ash fell may also be removed.
Homeowners may request the Army Corp to remove foundations. Experts typically recommend having foundations removed since concrete can be weakened by high temperatures. Older foundations could also fail to get approved during the process of rebuilding due to changed building codes.
Up to six inches of soil will be scraped off of the burn area.
Trees which died or are at risk of dying within five years will be cut down, but stumps won’t be removed. Homeowners can submit waivers to keep trees, but will have to acknowledge that by leaving the trees standing, it may impact their ability to rebuild or obtain permits.
Retaining walls needed to stabilize the neighborhood or property won’t get removed.
Pools, most driveways, and sidewalks or patios outside the ash footprint won’t be removed.
Homeowners will not pay out of pocket. Those who submit forms need to include insurance info. The county will work to recover money left in homeowner’s insurance policies.
In other news, on April 11, Pedro Pizarro, Chief Executive of Edison International, said that “a leading hypothesis” as to how the Eaton Fire started is an unconnected, idle Southern California Edison (SCE) powerline somehow reenergizing.
As a response, SCE will harden other idle lines and towers to prevent reenergizing events. The hardening will include making changes in a maintenance manual, reviewing past inspections and conducting more field inspections.
The theory is that the line somehow reenergized due to a phenomenon known as induction, where a nearby active line’s magnetic field induced electric current in the idle line.
Video has shown the fire’s initial flames appear to get ignited underneath an idle tower.
April 6, 2025 Update
SCE crews are climbing electrical towers, testing soil and photographing electrical equipment in order to determine what caused the Eaton Fire.
It will probably take months for the final determination as to what caused the fire to be made. However, SCE has been scrutinized since day 1 due to residents seeing and videotaping flames which burned near Edison transmission lines when the fire started on January 7.
One tower in particular, which has been idle for over 50 years yet somehow re-energized on January 7, has been focused upon.
Signs of damage including blackened marks on the tower suggest arcing occurred, according to a lawsuit.
According to officials, lab analysis, testing and inspections may take weeks. Analysis to figure out what caused the fire might take even longer.
Edison crews have traveled to the fire site via helicopter and climbed transmission towers to inspect equipment. Camera-equipped drones have been utilized by law firms investigating the fire’s cause.
Experts have done soil resistivity testing which looks at how soil near the towers reacts to and absorbs electric current’s flow.
Crews will be running small amounts of current through the lines to test them.
The investigation is being led by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as well as the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Investigations like this can take one year or even longer.
In February, Edison said that SCE lines over Eaton Canyon experienced a temporary increase in electrical current around the same time the fire started.
On January 27, SCE said the Eagle Rock-Gould line experienced a fault which sent increased current through SCE transmission lines.
March 31, 2025 Update
The Los Angeles Times has released a report questioning why Southern California Edison’s equipment is sparking more fires lately despite the utility’s customers paying more money for prevention of fires.
Last year saw Edison’s equipment spark 178 fires – in 2015, the utility’s equipment sparked 107 fires. This increase was despite the utility spending billions of dollars, including $1.9 billion in 2024, to prevent fires.
Residential customers of Edison pay an average of over $300 each year in support of costs which are wildfire-related.
The utility’s spending on increased equipment inspections, weather stations, tree trimming and insulated wires accounts for about 15 percent of customers’ average utility bills now – two years ago, these things accounted for about nine percent of utility bills.
The $1.9 billion dedicated to wildfire prevention last year was a 29 percent increase from the previous year. Each month sees $26 from the average customer’s bill go towards wildfire prevention.
Many are claiming that Assembly Bill 1054, which was signed into state law in 2019, is a big reason why the increased spending isn’t resulting in less wildfires. The law limited utilities’ financial liability for wildfires caused by them. Some are claiming that utilities don’t have as much of an incentive to prevent wildfires since they’re able to shift the cost of wildfires to customers despite the fires being the utilities’ fault.
AB 1054 reduced utility liability for wildfires started by their equipment. The bill changed the law in a way that companies are considered to have “prudently” acted so long as they obtained a safety certification each year from state regulators. Utilities need to pay $1 billion for wildfire insurance, but damages caused by wildfires started by their equipment which goes over $1 billion now gets covered by a California state fund which contained $12 billion in January and is expected to eventually contain $21 billion. While half of the fund’s initial money came from utility shareholders, the other half is sourced from customer bills.
On February 27, Edison told Wall Street analysts that if it is found that Edison equipment was responsible for the Eaton Fire, the utility won’t need to reimburse the wildfire fund for victims’ claims unless “serious doubt” can be raised that the utility acted prudently. Edison said that even if that should occur, its liability would be capped by law at $3.9 billion.
On October 31, Edison was granted its yearly safety certificate despite numerous problems found with the utility’s fire prevention work.
Regulators said Edison failed to consider rarer high-wind events in calculations regarding stopping fires caused by electrical equipment. Edison only looked at events involving high winds in the pats 20 years rather than during a longer period.
Regulators also found that there were thousands of open Edison work orders for fixing equipment issues.
Some are claiming that state officials who oversee utilities’ fire prevention efforts have relaxed standards since AB 1054’s adoption. State officials held public hearings regarding fire prevention efforts by utilities – this no longer occurs since AB 1054.
In March 2022, California’s state auditor criticized the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety for giving out safety certificates to utility companies despite the utilities’ wildfire prevention plans having serious deficiencies.
State auditors have blamed utility regulators for not making sure the utilities’ wildfire prevention spending is effective.
Edison claims that its wildfire prevention work has reduced catastrophic wildfire risks by over 85 percent since 2017.
March 29, 2025 Update
Around 14 hours prior to the Eaton Fire starting on January 7, power lines in the vicinity showed signs of being strained by intensifying winds.
Data from Whisker Labs, a company maintaining electrical sensors, is suggesting that Edison’s transmission network was stressed well before severe winds hit the L.A. region, adding to intensifying criticism that Edison failed to do enough to stop the fire from happening.
The data suggests that electrical malfunctions known as faults occurred on Edison transmission lines at the times of 4:28 AM and 4:36 AM on January 7. This time period saw sustained wind speeds of 60 miles per hour as well as gusts up to 79 miles per hour.
Later that day, two faults were identified by Whisker mere minutes prior to the fire starting, at around 6:11 PM, on a transmission network in the area of Eaton Canyon. These faults matched transmission line flashes which were video recorded by an Arco gas station nearby.
Despite the faults in the early morning, Edison failed to cut power to its transmission lines in the area. Edison also failed to cut power to the lines after the second batch of faults while winds were reaching 100 miles per hour.
The faults were strong enough to be sensed by sensors in Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.
In other news, there is concern among public health officials that abandoned pools in the burn zone of the Eaton Fire could create breeding grounds leading to millions of mosquitos.
A single swimming pool can breed as much as one million mosquitos in one month. There are thousands of swimming pools in the area.
11 instances of dengue were reported by Los Angeles County last year, and mosquitos can also carry West Nile virus, which killed at least one person in Los Angeles County last year.
Homeowners can make arrangements to get their pools removed or drained via the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the group handling ongoing removal of debris.
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District officials can also spray larvicide. When chemicals, debris or ash in water get cleared, fish which eat mosquitos can also be added to the pools.
March 17, 2025 Update
The focus in the investigation into the cause of the Eaton Fire has narrowed to numerous parallel power lines which are owned by Southern California Edison and located just outside Altadena.
Company records which have been uncovered by the Los Angeles Times show that SCE knew that some towers near and at the probable ignition point posed fire hazards.
Records filed by the company show that towers supporting three lines which are now under suspicion had been considered possible ignition risks and long overdue for vital upkeep.
Two lines were active and a third line, said to have been built around 100 years ago, was decommissioned in 1971.
Edison data shows that SCE, as of December 31, 2024, had 94 open work orders regarding the three lines.
The orders regarded multiple tasks, such as clearing vegetation, fixing broken or damaged insulators, doing tower repairs and replacing loose connectors. Almost three dozen of these orders were related to ignition risks.
A June 2023 order regarding “weed abatement” referenced coordinated which pinpoint its location as being a tower where it is believed by some that the fire started.
The order was given Level 2 priority and should have been finished within six months, going by state regulations.
Another order was created six days later on a nearby tower for “structure brushing,” or mitigating the risk that vegetation poses regarding fires.
Both of these orders got flagged as ignition risks and were open as of December 31.
Investigators believe the decommissioned line may have started the Eaton Fire. There were seven open work orders for work on that line’s towers as of December 31.
2020 saw Edison report that over 90 percent of the company’s transmission towers were 30 years old or older. 30 years old is the “average age” at which SCE said towers begin to show signs of being corroded. Corrosion can lead to problems including “structure failure.”
Records as of December 31, 2022 show that SCE had over 20,200 work orders which were more than 180 days overdue, including over 5,200 relating to “ignition risk.”
It is required by the Public Utilities Commission that utilities remove power lines which are “permanently abandoned” and are deemed not to have any foreseeable use so they don’t become public nuisances or hazards to property or life.
March 15, 2025 Update
An Altadena man’s family has filed a lawsuit over the man’s death in the Eaton Fire. The lawsuit has been filed against Southern California Edison and is now one of over 100 lawsuits which blames SCE’s equipment for starting the devastating fire which killed 17 people and destroyed over 9,000 structures.
The lawsuit alleges that SCE operated its equipment recklessly, didn’t properly maintain brush around its equipment, and didn’t properly de-energize all equipment in the area of Eaton Canyon despite having advance warning from the National Weather Service of dangerous winds in the area.
Cited by the lawsuit are eyewitness accounts as well as pictures and videos which show flames leaping from a power transmission tower’s base.
March 5, 2025 Update
A lawsuit was filed on March 5 by Los Angeles County against Southern California Edison. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages and costs related to the Eaton Fire.
The lawsuit claims that SCE equipment caused the wildfire, causing the county to incur costs regarding its response to the fire as well as its aftermath.
According to the lawsuit, videos, photos and witnesses show that the Eaton Fire started underneath SCE’s Eaton Canyon transmission lines.
The lawsuit alleges that the fire massively impacted the natural resources of the county, threatened public health and harmed wildlife and the environment.
The cities of Sierra Madre and Pasadena are also suing SCE over damages to public infrastructure and taxpayer resources resulting from the wildfire.
According to Pasadena’s lawsuit, numerous municipal assets were damaged, including:
- A police department training facility
- A building and fleet for Pasadena Municipal Assistance, Solutions and Hiring
- Water management infrastructure which is critical, such as storage tanks
In other news, evidence has been uncovered by a private investigator regarding electrical arcing on an electrical tower named M16T1. This structure has not been active for over 50 years. Mere minutes prior to this, at 6:11 PM, SCE noted a power line fault miles away from Eaton Canyon.
February 28, 2025 Update
A report which was released on Thursday has estimated that the Eaton and Palisades fires led to between $28 billion and $53.8 billion worth of property damage. The report estimates that the resulting business disruptions could lead to as much as $8.9 billion worth of economic losses for the County of Los Angeles in the next five years.
It is estimated by the report that as much as 49,110 job-years could be lost due to the fires, and as much as $3.7 billion of labor income could be reduced due to the fires. Federal, state and local governments could also experiences losses in tax revenue from $730 million to $1.4 billion.
The researchers found that 10,658 properties were affected by the Palisades Fire and 9,226 properties were affected by the Eaton Fire.
The researchers found that 1,117 businesses were impacted by the Palisades Fire and 746 businesses were impacted by the Eaton Fire. An estimated 9,610 workers were employed by the businesses, and the businesses generated an estimated $1.4 billion worth of annual sales.
CAL FIRE structural damage assessments found that over half of structures in the fires’ burn areas got destroyed.
Three potential recovery scenarios are analyzed by the report, which takes into account funding challenges, infrastructure rebuilding and workforce shortages. The most optimistic scenario sees the local economy completely recovering by 2029. A moderate scenario projects that economic losses will linger into 2023. The worst-case scenario projects that financial hardship will persist through 2034, with over $400 million worth of annual revenue losses lasting beyond five years.
February 19, 2025 Update
On February 18, a judge maintained a restraining order, which is temporary, against SCE for an additional week – this orders SCE to preserve physical evidence, data and documents which relate to the Eaton Fire while lawyers who are representing homeowners and the utility work towards agreeing upon an evidence order which is long-term.
The judge declined to address the plaintiffs’ lawyers’ request for sanctions against the utility, saying a separate filing would cover that and that it is more important for parties to agree upon the evidence preservation’s scope.
Clear guardrails were put in place regarding key power infrastructure preservation, as well as a commitment from SCE, which is court-enforceable, to show any and all data regarding why the fire appears to have been started by a de-energized line. The judge is clearly committed to not letting SCE destroy any evidence.
Lawyers asked for sanctions against the utility last week after accusing the utility of lying after learning SCE re-energized transmission lines on the 19th of January without providing prior notice to plaintiffs’ lawyers. This, lawyers argued, possibly damaged or altered physical evidence prior to lawyers being able to have their experts test the lines which were de-energized.
An SCE spokeswoman denied this claim, saying the utility sent the lawyers a letter on January 17th, notifying them.
February 11, 2025 Update
The Los Angeles Times has reported that while Edison may face a significant hit economically from the Eaton Fire, the utility will probably avoid a “fatal blow.” Some estimates have put insured damages relating to the fire at $10 billion. The final amount may be higher, though, according to experts.
California lawmakers, in 2019, created an emergency fund which may save Edison should they be found responsible for the fire. This fund could cover up to $21 billion worth of losses if Edison is forced to pay out regarding the Eaton Fire.
Prior to the Eaton Fire, Edison’s valuation was around $30 billion, but the utility’s valuation has fallen by about 33 percent since the fire, as the utility’s share price has been reduced by over 35 percent.
According to Shon Hiatt, a professor at USC’s Marshall School of Business, companies can be generally considered at risk of bankruptcy when their liability is double their valuation. Edison’s market cap is around $20 billion and it is facing around $10 billion in potential liability regarding the Eaton Fire, so Edison doesn’t appear likely to go bankrupt as a result of the fire.
While utilities, under state law, don’t need to reimburse the emergency fund created in 2019 when they’re found to have acted prudently in order to prevent fires, Edison will need to pay back a total of $4 billion into the fund if they are found to have acted imprudently. Regardless of if Edison is found to have acted appropriately, they will need to pay $1 billion worth of claims before being granted access to the emergency fund if their equipment is found to have started the fire.
In other news, according to Edison International CEO and president Pedro Pizarro, videos of the Eaton Fire’s early stages are “concerning” and could suggest a potential link to Southern California Edison equipment.
Contact An Eaton Fire Lawsuit Attorney Today
Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one suffered losses like property damage, injury or evacuation costs due to the Eaton Fire. We never charge you a fee until and unless we obtain a recovery, and our lawyers have extensive experience in helping victims of California wildfires. Call us today.
