Overview
- Southern California Edison filed cross-claims in L.A. County Superior Court against the county, six local water providers, SoCalGas and alert software firm Genasys, alleging their failures worsened the 2025 Eaton wildfire’s toll.
- The complaints cite the lack of evacuation warnings for west Altadena, scarce fire resources in the area and delayed activation of transportation for vulnerable residents as factors that contributed to 19 deaths.
- Edison alleges water systems ran dry for firefighters and residents, and says SoCalGas did not begin widespread gas shutoffs until January 11, four days after the fire ignited.
- The suits will proceed within the consolidated Eaton fire litigation that also includes claims against Edison, while the joint L.A. County Fire and Cal Fire cause investigation remains pending.
- Separately, survivors are urging changes to AB 1054 as utilities press to maintain protections, with Edison telling investors its maximum exposure could be $4 billion even as total damages are estimated far higher and a state-ordered study is due April 1.