Eaton Fire

Updated 1/13/2025

Did an Electric Company Start the Eaton Fire? 

The Eaton Fire near Pasadena started on January 7, 2025 around 6 pm. It quickly grew and began to threaten homes in the surrounding area. Overnight, the fire had spread to thousands of acres and threatened thousands of homes. The fire reportedly started in the hills above Altadena.

Southern California Edison (SCE) high voltage electric transmission lines run above the ignition site of the Eaton Fire. A high voltage electric line like the one seen above Altadena was responsible for the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed Paradise and the surrounding area in 2018.

What Caused the Eaton Fire? Investigating the Spark Behind the Blaze in the Foothills of Altadena

The Eaton Fire, which devastated Altadena, bears striking similarities to other fires started by electric utility companies when their equipment fails. As we noted last week, SoCal Edison has transmission lines directly above the ignition site. As the investigations unfold, attention has focused on that transmission line and tower, raising questions about their role in the fire.

Initial Findings: Was SoCal Edison’s Equipment Responsible

SoCal Edison initially released a statement claiming their equipment was not responsible, stating they had de-energized their lines and were not aware of any faults. However, emerging evidence suggests they may have caused the fire. 

• Energized Powerlines: SoCal Edison left some of their power lines energized at the time of the fire. 
• Eyewitness Accounts: Residents saw the fire starting directly below the SoCal Edison transmission tower. Another eyewitness reported seeing a flash of light at the tower, and the fire at the base of the tower immediately after.
• Grid Monitoring: An electric grid monitoring company detected numerous faults in SoCal Edison’s equipment near where the fire started. 
• Preservation of Evidence: Though not direct evidence, various insurance companies instructed SoCal Edison to preserve equipment and lines in that area where the fire started. 

All the above has prompted officials to take a hard look at SoCal Edison as part of the

Why were SoCal Edison’s Lines Energized? 

A critical question remains: why were the lines energized at all during red flag conditions? 

SoCal Edison knew about the red flag conditions on January 7. Forecasts clearly showed the danger that was expected, and the utility knew it. They shut off power to every power line at risk in the area. They have a Public Safety Power Shutoff policy of shutting off power to prevent their “electric system from becoming a source of ignition.” https://www.sce.com/outage-center/outage-information/psps 

While they appear to have shut off the power to their distribution system bringing power to homes and business, they left their high voltage transmission lines energize. In fact, it was high voltage transmission lines which were left energized that caused the deadliest fire in California history, the Camp Fire in Northern California. 

Unfortunately, the combination of faulty equipment and poor management led to a predictable outcome and strongly points to SCE as responsible for the Eaton Fire. 

Utility Companies Accountable

The Eaton Fire is another example of a troubling pattern: utility companies denying responsibility for wildfires sparked by their equipment. Holding utility companies accountable is crucial to break this pattern and for community recovery. 

At Danko Meredith, our attorneys fight to hold utilities like SoCal Edison accountable for their actions and lies, all so communities can rebuild, and negligence does not go unpunished.

Learn More About the Eaton Fire Investigation

If you were impacted by the Eaton Fire, it’s important to understand your rights and options. Together we can hold SoCal Edison accountable.

Tips for Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation Holding 

Below are some tips about preparing to evacuate from a wildfire that we have compiled from our client’s experiences. 

• Get Out Early – Firefighters cannot save homes if they are saving people who evacuated too late instead.
• Do Not Stay Behind to Fight the Fire Yourself – Municipal water and electricity often fail as the fire nears, do not count on being there either if you try to stay behind. 
• Pack and Prepare Before You Need to Leave – You may only have seconds to leave your home, so being ready is important. Gather the most important items early and pack them in your car. 
• Get Your Car Ready – Back your car into the driveway and do not leave it in the garage. The power may fail and trap the car.
• Gather Pets and Animals Early – Pets and animals get very skittish and frightened as fire approaches. They will often hide in places that are hard to get them out of. Even if it seems mean to keep them in a travel kennel or on a leash longer than necessary, it is better than having to leave them behind. 
• If You Have Time, Do a Video Walkthrough of Your Home – Insurance companies often need an inventory of what was lost in your home. Having even a quick walkthrough of the house on video can help greatly and result in tens or hundreds of thousands more dollars from your insurance company. 
• Grab What Can’t Be Replaced – You might immediately think of saving the items you will need first, like clothes and toiletries. Instead, focus on the items that cannot be replaced. You can get new clothes from donations or a store in the coming days, but you cannot get new photo albums, family heirlooms, or treasured keepsakes. 

Stay Updated on the Los Angeles Wildfires

Make sure you are following the official updates and evacuation orders and warnings from officials:

• The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/CAL FIRE
• Free wildfire updates from the Los Angeles Times live blog

Fires can change behavior and direction quickly. If you do not need to be in the area, stay away.

About Danko Meredith 

Danko Meredith has over 30 years of experience holding utility companies accountable for their actions. The Danko Meredith team has represented thousands of people who have lost their homes to a utility-caused fire. We have represented clients all over the state, including those who were affected by the 2017 Thomas Fire. We have also represented clients in Contra Costa County, Mendocino County, Butte County, Napa County, Sonoma County, Calaveras County, and Lake County. We have experience working with homeowners, renters, condominium owners, agricultural landowners, employees, and business owners.

Contact us for updates on whether SCE sparked the Eaton Fire. Please stay safe.

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If you would like to assist your clients and team up with successful and experienced fire attorneys, please contact us to discuss referral percentages.