Power Grid Fault Surges Recorded Before Los Angeles Wildfires

Whisker Labs detected a significant rise in electrical faults in areas where three major wildfires ignited, but investigators have not confirmed a direct link.

• Whisker Labs, using a network of 14,000 sensors, reported a sharp increase in electrical faults hours before the Eaton, Palisades, and Hurst Fires began in Los Angeles.
• The Palisades Fire area experienced 63 faults two to three hours before ignition and 18 faults during the hour it started, while the Eaton and Hurst Fires saw 317 and 230 faults, respectively, prior to ignition.
• Electrical faults, caused by events like wires touching or equipment failures, can create sparks that ignite vegetation, especially during high winds like the Santa Ana winds at the time of the fires.
• The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power did not proactively shut off power to reduce wildfire risks, a measure commonly used by other California utilities following past fire incidents.
• Investigators have not determined the exact cause of the wildfires, and while the data provides potential clues, Whisker Labs emphasized it cannot confirm a direct connection between the faults and the fires.

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