Gabriela Ornelas, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, expressed sympathy for the communities affected by the devastating fires in Southern California, stating, “Our hearts are with our communities during this difficult time, and we are dedicated to supporting them.” Ornelas also mentioned that SCE crews and partners are working tirelessly to safely restore power to customers, while emphasizing that the cause of the fires is still under investigation.
Attorney Patrick McNicholas, representing evacuee Michael Kreiner, shared that their legal team has met with over 500 individuals impacted by the fires. The lawsuit seeks accountability from Southern California Edison for alleged negligence, aiming to seek justice for those who have suffered losses.
Another lawsuit, filed on behalf of veteran Evangeline Iglesias, accuses SCE of negligence and violations related to the fires. The suit alleges that despite warnings of dangerous winds, the utility failed to take appropriate precautions, ultimately leading to the destruction of homes and livelihoods.
The legal action also references data showing numerous faults on SCE’s lines near the fire’s origin points, suggesting a potential link between electrical infrastructure and the fires. While the exact cause is still being investigated, the lawsuits aim to hold SCE responsible for the damages incurred.
Southern California Edison, in response, stated that their distribution lines were de-energized prior to the fire’s reported start time in the affected areas. The utility highlighted its efforts to implement power shutoffs during hazardous conditions to prevent wildfires.
Overall, the legal actions and investigations are ongoing as the affected communities seek answers and justice in the aftermath of the destructive fires in Southern California.
Southern California Edison reported submitting two electric safety incident reports to the California Public Utilities Commission regarding the ongoing wildfires. These reports pertain to the Eaton Fire and the Hurst Fire, which has scorched nearly 800 acres in Sylmar, Los Angeles. The utility company stated that the reports offer initial insights and are typically provided promptly, “within two to four hours following a triggering event.”
According to Southern California Edison, the reports are often filed before the company can definitively ascertain if its electrical infrastructure played a role in igniting the fires. The company also indicated that structures in Altadena were destroyed on Sunday as a result of the fires. Furthermore, Southern California Edison disclosed that legal representatives of insurance firms involved in the fire incidents have issued evidence preservation notices to the utility.
Providing a preliminary examination of the electrical circuit data for its four active transmission lines in the Eaton Canyon region, the utility asserted that there were no power interruptions or irregularities in the 12 hours leading up to the reported commencement of the fire and extending over an hour into the fire’s outbreak.
Legal actions have been initiated against Southern California Edison, with one lawsuit highlighting the company’s alleged responsibility for the catastrophic 2017 Thomas Fire and the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire. These wildfires resulted in the destruction of numerous residences, extensive financial losses, and the displacement of numerous families.
In terms of the financial impact of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, financial analysts at Wells Fargo Securities estimated potential insured losses to reach approximately $30 billion. It is anticipated that around 85% of these losses will be shouldered by homeowners in the affected areas.
Please let me know if you need any further assistance.
