Overview

• The Eaton fire, which began on January 7, 2025, killed 17 people, destroyed over 9,000 structures, and burned more than 14,000 acres in Altadena, California.
• Southern California Edison (SCE) acknowledged its equipment may have played a role in the fire, with evidence of a current surge near the origin point under investigation.
• Records show SCE delayed critical upgrades to transmission lines that experts say could have mitigated risks of fire during preemptive power shutoffs in high-wind conditions.
• Lawsuits allege SCE re-energized key transmission lines after the fire began, potentially altering evidence despite a restraining order to preserve it.
• Experts and officials highlight the challenges of balancing wildfire prevention with the risks of power shutoffs, as SCE faces growing legal and public pressure.