County Investigation Finds Fault with SCE for Eaton Fire as Calls for Accountability Mount

The Los Angeles County Fire Department and CAL FIRE have released the conclusion of their 18-month Eaton Fire investigation. The public report classifies the cause as ELECTRICAL and describes two electrical arcing events in quick succession at the Southern California Edison transmission-tower location in Eaton Canyon. Investigators describe burning or glowing material falling from the tower area into dry receptive fuel, followed by ground ignition about 12 seconds later. The origin was identified on an SCE-owned parcel containing the middle grouping of three transmission towers. Lightning, campfire, and arson/incendiary causes were excluded. The 55-page report contains extensive redactions and does not definitively identify a specific failed component. The signed narrative also notes additional physical evidence and data that investigators were still awaiting and states that supplemental reports may be added. A separate LA County District Attorney review remains ongoing. Altadena elected officials have called for accountability following the County finding.
Action: Read the 55-page investigation report | Read the local accountability update.
ABC News | LAist | LA Times | ABC7 | Associated Press | KTLA | NBC LA | CBS8 | CBS LA | NY Times.