LOS ANGELES (AP) – Investigators are considering various sources of ignition in a massive fire that killed at least 16 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area.
In the hilly, upscale Pacific Palisades, home to Hollywood stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal, who lost their homes in the fire, authorities traced the source of the wind-fueled blaze to dense trees. It is said to be located behind a home on Piedra Morada Drive, which is heavily wooded. Arroyo.
Investigators were able to quickly rule out lightning strikes, the most common cause of fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. There were no reports of lightning in the Palisades area or surrounding terrain of the Eaton Fire, which burned hundreds of homes in eastern Los Angeles County.
The next two most common causes are intentionally started fires and fires caused by utility power lines.
John Lentini, owner of Scientific Fire Analysis in Florida, which has investigated major fires in California, including the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, says his approach to determining the cause remains the same depending on the size and scope of the fire. said.
“This used to be a small fire,” Lentini said. “People focus on where the fire started, identify the source of the fire, and look around the source to determine the cause.”
So far, there are no official signs of arson in either fire, and power lines have not yet been identified as the cause.
Terry Prosper, the commission’s communications director, said in an email that utilities must report to the California Public Utilities Commission when they learn of “an electrical incident that may be related to a wildfire.” said. CPUC staff will then investigate for violations of state law.
Investigators have determined that the 2017 Thomas Fire, one of the largest fires in state history, was caused by a Southern California Edison power line that came into contact during high winds. The fire killed two people and charred more than 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers).
On Friday, Southern California Edison submitted a report to the CPUC regarding the Eaton Fire, which broke out in the hills near Pasadena, an area the utility serves.
Edison said it had not received any suggestion that its equipment was involved in starting the fire, but “out of an abundance of caution,” it turned to state utility regulators after receiving a notice to preserve evidence from the insurance company’s lawyers. He said he had submitted a report.
“SCE’s preliminary analysis of electrical circuit information for live power lines passing through the area 12 hours prior to the reported fire start time indicates that power outages and There were no electrical or operational abnormalities found. There was a fire,” the power company reported.
Lightning strikes, arson, and power lines are the most common causes, but burning debris and fireworks are also common causes.
However, fires can be caused by various causes, including accidents.
In 2021, a couple’s gender reveal stunt sparked a massive fire that engulfed nearly 36 square miles of terrain, destroying five homes and 15 other buildings, said firefighter Charlie Morton. lives were lost.
The Eaton and Palisades fires were still burning Friday with little control. Winds had died down, but no rain was in the forecast as the blaze moved through miles of dry landscape.
“When the fuel runs out or the weather stops, the engine shuts down,” Lentini said. “They’re not going to launch it until they’re ready to launch it.”
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