Fire officials are investigating whether falling Edison utility equipment in Southern California played a role in igniting the Hearst Fire near Sylmar, company officials said.
The company released a report on Friday, saying that a conductor was found collapsed on a pylon near the fire scene, but that “it is not known whether the damage observed occurred before or after the fire occurred.”
The company said that “fire officials are investigating whether SCE equipment played a role in starting the fire,” and that the investigation is ongoing. Utility companies are required to report whenever a government agency begins an investigation into whether their equipment caused a wildfire.
Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Adam VanGerpen confirmed that a “unified investigation” involving various fire and law enforcement agencies is underway, but could not immediately provide additional details Sunday. Ta.
The Hearst Fire broke out Tuesday near Diamond Road in Sylmar and has burned nearly 800 acres, according to CalFire. As of Sunday, it was 89% contained and evacuation orders had been lifted, but firefighting efforts continue and are focused on “constructing and improving containment lines with an emphasis on public safety and structural protection.” Calfire said.
CalFire said 300 people remained assigned to the fire and tanker planes were used to extinguish the fire “as conditions warrant.”
SCE announced Thursday that it received a notice from attorneys representing insurance companies to preserve evidence related to the Eaton Fire, which burned more than 14,100 acres and devastated Altadena. CalFire said the fire was 27% contained as of Sunday morning.
An independent analysis shared with the Times found that power grid failures near Los Angeles County’s three major fires – the Hearst, Eaton and Palisades fires – were significantly disrupted in the hours before the fires began, when strong Santa Ana winds were blowing. It was shown that there was an increase in .
Disturbances caused by damaged or down power lines or other equipment can cause sparks. Bob Marshall, CEO of the Whisker Institute, which provided the data, said it was unclear whether sparks from the fault caused the recent fires.
Power companies have long been the culprits in past wildfires, including in California, and have faced billions of dollars in fines and lawsuits.
In 2021, SCE agreed to pay $550 million in fines and penalties related to the Thomas Fire, Woolsey Fire, Rye Fire, Myers Fire, and Liberty Fire. Together, the fires burned more than 380,000 acres and destroyed thousands of homes.
In 2019, Pacific Gas & Electric Company was involved in several Northern California wildfires that killed dozens and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, including in Wine Country in 2017 and the town of Paradise in 2018. agreed to pay $13.5 billion to victims.
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