The question of how did the Eaton fire start weighs heavily on the minds of Altadena, California residents and surrounding communities. This destructive blaze began on January 7, 2025. It brought devastation that is hard for many to comprehend, even so long after it happened, leaving many to wonder not only how it started, but also if something like this can happen again.
The fire's rapid spread, fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, resulted in 17 deaths and the destruction of thousands of structures. So, to address that question head-on, how did the Eaton Fire start, and could it have been prevented?
Table Of Contents:
- The Initial Investigation into The Eaton Fire
- Sensor Data and the Whisker Labs Report
- Lawsuits Filed Against Southern California Edison
- Southern California Edison's Response and Ongoing Investigation
- Community Impact and Recovery
- Conclusion
The Initial Investigation into The Eaton Fire
In the immediate aftermath, Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency, launched an investigation. The sheer scale of the fire and the dangerous conditions initially limited what could be assessed and done. Early reports pointed to the area near Eaton Canyon, but a definitive cause remained elusive.
Several videos surfaced that appeared to show the first flames. One video, obtained from an Arco gas station security camera near Eaton Canyon. Some believe it shows electrical arcing near utility infrastructure in the Eaton Canyon area before flames became visible.
Conflicting Evidence and Reports about the Eaton Fire
Southern California Edison (SCE), the utility company serving the area, acknowledged the video. SCE further stated they were reviewing it to see if there was any connection to their equipment. This admission came on the heels of the company reporting a fault on a nearby transmission tower circuit around the same time the flashes appeared.
However, SCE maintained that this fault occurred miles away from the tower shown in the video. An earlier statement from the company indicated that its distribution lines near Eaton Canyon were de-energized. This happened long before the fire's reported start time due to the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program.
The situation grows more concerning. The California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety has raised issues regarding Southern California Edison's repair practices. In an October report, the Office highlighted potential risks associated with the adequacy of repairs, specifically noting concerns about the reliability of spliced power lines and the risk of failure.
Sensor Data and the Whisker Labs Report
New data from Whisker Labs, a company specializing in sensor technology for wildfire prevention, offered an interesting angle. According to the New York Times, Whisker Labs detected two faults on transmission towers near Altadena on January 7th. This occurred just before the Eaton fire began in the same area.
The timing of these faults seemed to coincide with the security footage from the gas station. The proximity to the fire's origin point is interesting. Bob Marshall, co-founder of Whisker Labs, called it a "transmission-scale event."
Lawsuits Filed Against Southern California Edison
The mounting evidence, including videos and reports of electrical anomalies, has led to legal action. Los Angeles County, along with the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, filed lawsuits against Southern California Edison. The lawsuits allege that the utility company's equipment sparked Eaton fire.
These lawsuits allege that SCE was negligent, including failing to de-energize all electrical equipment. The city of Sierra Madre has cited video evidence showing flames coinciding with electrical irregularities. Additionally, many homeowners and renters who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire have already taken legal action by filing lawsuits.
Seeking Financial Restitution
Los Angeles County estimates the costs and damages to be at least hundreds of millions of dollars. The County Counsel spoke about the need for justice for the Altadena community. Both the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre further explained the need for substantial efforts to repair destroyed water systems, roads, infrastructure, and more.
Southern California Edison's Response and Ongoing Investigation
Southern California Edison has acknowledged the lawsuits, stating that they are currently under review and will be addressed through legal proceedings. A company spokesperson also expressed condolences to the affected communities.
In a February 6th update to the California Public Utilities Commission, SCE mentioned new information had come to light. They explained videos of fire at its early stages, indicated links to their Edison equipment as reported in their press release.
Below are ways that Southern California Edison communicated faults or de-energized power, either internally or to the CPUC:
| Action | Description | SCE Communication |
|---|---|---|
|
Fault Reported |
Reported fault on power lines miles away from origin of Eaton Fire |
SCE said the fault happened at 6:11pm on January 7, 2025 as written in their new filing |
|
De-Energized Power Lines |
SCE de-energized power lines to the west of Eaton Canyon. |
Stated this action was part of a plan to mitigate wildfire risk. |
|
No Anomalies Communicated |
No warnings were sent out from SCE regarding its equipment in Eaton Canyon. |
to the CPUC on transmission lines. |
Did Cutting Power Start the Eaton Fire?
A report came out questioning how SCE handled cutting off power as part of fire preparedness procedures. The report by the Los Angeles Times suggests a shutdown that was done could have overwhelmed other transmission lines. The result was possible overheating and eventually, sparks.
There is existing documentation dating 3 years before the fire expressing risk concerns to SCE for shutdowns in a similar way. The paper found that although fixes had been talked about, the work was never completed. This created a situation where extreme weather and severe weather could contribute to increased fire risk, especially given the dry conditions and high winds typical of Southern California.
The National Weather Service had issued warnings about the elevated fire risk due to the Santa Ana winds. SCE's actions, coupled with the pre-existing vulnerabilities, highlight the challenge of balancing public safety with the need to maintain a reliable power supply, especially during a California wildfire.
Community Impact and Recovery
The Eaton Fire, regardless of the precise cause which is still under investigation, had a huge impact. Thousands of structures were destroyed, with financial losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars if not billions in collective damages. This has severely impacted the air and soil quality in Los Angeles County and required extensive emergency response efforts.
Ways You Could Help
- Financial Contributions
- One can reach out to the Red Cross to seek assistance with loved ones affected by the Eaton fire, by calling them or through online.
- Community groups exist that assist with efforts like the Nature Friends Mountain retreat.
- School District Support
- School districts were temporarily shut down.
- You may want to follow superintendent updates, like how Pasadena's was explained in their online statement.
- Lawsuit Support
- Those who would like to file a lawsuit can reach out to us by phone or chat to obtain a free case evaluation.
Conclusion
The investigation into the cause of the Eaton Fire remains complex and ongoing. Evidence, including video footage and electronic data, suggests a possible connection to Southern California Edison's equipment. However, the exact sequence of events leading to the wildfire has yet to be confirmed.
As lawsuits move forward and investigations continue, residents of Altadena and surrounding areas are still seeking answers and accountability. Meanwhile, rebuilding efforts continue, supported by community groups working together to restore what was lost.
