Los Angeles County Sues Edison Over Devastating Eaton Fire

The County of Los Angeles has filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison, alleging that the utility company’s negligence caused the catastrophic Eaton Fire, which killed 17 people, destroyed thousands of structures, and scorched more than 14,000 acres in the Altadena area earlier this year.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses Edison and its parent company, Edison International, of failing to properly maintain electrical equipment and neglecting to shut off power despite extreme fire conditions. The complaint cites multiple legal claims, including inverse condemnation, negligence, trespass, nuisance, and violations of public safety laws.

“The devastation caused by the Eaton Fire was avoidable,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger in a statement. “Southern California Edison had ample warning of dangerous conditions but failed to take necessary precautions. This lawsuit is a crucial step toward accountability and recovery for our communities.”

Fire Ignition and Destruction

According to the complaint, the Eaton Fire ignited on the evening of January 7, 2025, near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, after strong Santa Ana winds caused electrical arcing in Edison’s transmission lines. The fire rapidly spread through Altadena and surrounding neighborhoods, fueled by dry vegetation and extreme wind gusts exceeding 100 mph.

Officials say the fire was the second most destructive and fifth deadliest in California history. The county claims it suffered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, including the destruction of public parks, senior centers, schools, and flood control infrastructure.

Edison’s Role and Legal Claims

The lawsuit highlights Edison’s history of wildfire-related safety failures, including previous incidents such as the 2017 Thomas Fire, the 2018 Woolsey Fire, and the 2020 Bobcat Fire. It alleges that Edison ignored National Weather Service warnings and failed to de-energize its power lines despite high fire-risk conditions.

In regulatory filings, Edison acknowledged that a fault occurred in its transmission system moments before the fire ignited. However, the company has not admitted responsibility for the fire and remains under investigation by state and local agencies, including the California Public Utilities Commission.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages and costs related to fire suppression, emergency response, environmental restoration, and infrastructure repairs.

“We will not allow utilities to continue endangering our residents and communities without consequences,” said Barger. “This lawsuit sends a clear message that negligence will not be tolerated.”

Edison has faced multiple lawsuits over wildfires in recent years, with settlements and judgments totaling billions of dollars. The company has previously implemented wildfire mitigation programs, including public safety power shutoffs, but critics argue they have been inconsistently applied.

The Eaton Fire remains under investigation.