As Los Angeles County battles the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires, officials are investigating potential causes of the devastating blazes, including the role of utility companies. The fires, among the most destructive in California’s history, have left a trail of destruction, with over 37,000 acres burned and thousands of structures damaged or destroyed.
The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, has burned more than 23,000 acres and damaged or destroyed approximately 5,000 structures. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is leading the investigation into its cause. Fire officials are exploring multiple theories, including arson and the potential rekindling of a previous fire caused by New Year’s Eve fireworks. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire erupted hours later in Altadena, scorching over 14,000 acres and affecting more than 7,000 structures. Investigators are focusing on Eaton Canyon, where surveillance footage and witness accounts suggest sparks from transmission lines may have ignited the fire. Videos reportedly show what appears to be the fire’s ignition point near a transmission tower in the canyon. Fire officials have confirmed the footage is part of their ongoing investigation.
Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the state’s largest utility companies, has become a central figure in the investigations. While the company has acknowledged damage to its equipment in areas affected by the fires, it denies any evidence linking its facilities to the ignitions. In a report filed with the state, SCE stated that its preliminary analysis of electrical circuits in the area showed no anomalies before the fires’ reported start times. Pedro Pizarro, CEO of SCE’s parent company Edison International, addressed the issue during a recent interview, stating, “Typically, when there’s a spark created by equipment, you will see that kind of electrical anomaly. We haven’t seen that.” He noted that access to the affected equipment remains restricted due to safety concerns but pledged transparency once inspections are complete. Despite SCE’s denials, the company has received evidence preservation notices from attorneys representing insurance companies related to the Eaton Fire. In the Palisades Fire investigation, officials are exploring a variety of possible causes, but no conclusive evidence has been presented linking utility equipment to the blaze.
SCE’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) program, a wildfire mitigation strategy that involves preemptively cutting power during high-risk conditions, has drawn both praise and criticism. Ahead of the Eaton Fire, SCE de-energized some distribution lines near Eaton Canyon, a move the company says helped save lives. However, critics argue that PSPS measures disrupt essential services and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. In contrast, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which services the Pacific Palisades area, does not implement PSPS. Instead, it uses automatic circuit reclosers to prevent circuits impacted by high winds from re-energizing after an outage. Critics of this approach argue it is reactive rather than preventive, potentially allowing fires to ignite before lines are shut down. LADWP defended its strategy, citing the unique urban challenges of servicing Los Angeles. The utility stated that it works closely with the Los Angeles Fire Department to balance public safety with the need to maintain power for critical facilities like hospitals.
In addition to the Palisades and Eaton fires, investigators are examining the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, which burned nearly 800 acres before being contained. SCE has confirmed damage to its equipment in the area but maintains that the reported start time of the fire was too close to an electrical anomaly for any definitive conclusions to be drawn. As investigations continue, officials have yet to determine the causes of any of the fires. Pizarro emphasized that SCE is committed to cooperating fully and ensuring transparency as more information becomes available.
The investigations into the Palisades and Eaton fires underscore the need for systemic changes in wildfire prevention and utility management. With aging infrastructure and increasingly extreme weather conditions, California’s power grid remains a significant risk in fire-prone areas. For residents displaced by the fires, the focus is on rebuilding their lives and holding accountable any parties found responsible for the devastation. The scrutiny on utility companies has reignited debates over the effectiveness of wildfire mitigation strategies and the role of preventative measures like PSPS. As Los Angeles braces for another round of strong winds, the ongoing investigations serve as a reminder of the devastating impact of wildfires and the urgent need for solutions to prevent future tragedies.
