Southern California Edison (SCE) has released an update on the ongoing investigation into the Eaton Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, near Eaton Canyon, Altadena, California.
The Fire severely impacted the local ecosystem, destroying dense chaparral and oak woodlands, displacing or killing wildlife, and creating long-term ecological imbalances. The loss of vegetation increases soil erosion risks, potentially leading to landslides, while thick smoke worsened air quality, posing health hazards for residents.
While the cause of the fire has not been determined, SCE continues its internal review in coordination with local and state authorities.
In its latest report, SCE notes that videos from external parties have surfaced, showing the early stages of the fire. These videos suggest a possible connection to SCE’s equipment, a possibility that the utility is taking seriously. However, SCE has not identified any definitive indicators linking its infrastructure to the fire. Notably, investigators have not found evidence such as broken conductors, fresh arc marks, or faults on the energized lines running through the fire’s preliminary origin area.
Pedro J. Pizarro, President and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company, stated,
“While we do not yet know what caused the Eaton Fire, SCE is exploring every possibility in its investigation, including the possibility that SCE’s equipment was involved. We have been fully engaged since the start of the fires in supporting the broader emergency response, containment, recovery, and investigation efforts.”
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the Eaton Fire ignited amid extreme Santa Ana wind conditions, spreading embers throughout Altadena. The fire ultimately burned 14,021 acres, resulting in 17 confirmed civilian fatalities, nine injuries among fire personnel, and the destruction of over 6,000 residences and structures. The fire also damaged SCE distribution facilities, including the Fair Oaks substation.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is leading the investigation into the fire's origin and cause, with assistance from Cal Fire and other agencies. SCE is reviewing grid data, maintenance records, and collected evidence to determine whether its equipment could have played a role.
SCE has committed to a comprehensive analysis that is expected to take several months. This review will involve a detailed inspection and testing of electrical infrastructure in the fire’s preliminary origin area. Investigators will assess whether the idle Mesa-Sylmar transmission line may have been energized through induction and whether it could be connected to the fire’s ignition.
Further, SCE is working with legal and regulatory authorities to preserve electronic and physical evidence. This includes lowering power lines near the fire’s preliminary origin area for further visual inspection. The company has identified three transmission towers in Eaton Canyon that support four active and one inactive lines. These lines remain de-energized.
In response to ongoing concerns, SCE has conducted thermal scans and photographic comparisons and reviewed electrical system logs. While some visual observations noted flashes of light near transmission structures during re-energization, no definitive signs of arcing or failure have been identified on the infrastructure.
SCE acknowledges the devastating impact of the Eaton Fire and has pledged full cooperation with investigators. “Our hearts go out to everyone who has suffered losses. We are working with the local communities SCE serves to rebuild and emerge stronger,” said Pizarro. “We understand the community wants answers, and we remain committed to a thorough and transparent investigation.”
The utility has also taken steps to strengthen grounding practices for idle transmission lines as part of its broader wildfire mitigation strategies.
As investigations continue, SCE remains engaged with impacted communities and regulatory agencies to ensure a complete and objective assessment of the fire’s origin and contributing factors.
