Edison Says Its Equipment Likely Started Fire

The parent company of Southern California Edison acknowledged in a quarterly earnings report that its equipment may have caused the Eaton Fire, the devastating blaze that tore through the foothills above Altadena last year, destroying thousands of structures and killing at least 19 people.

In a statement released Tuesday, Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, said the utility believes it is “likely” that Southern California Edison’s equipment could be found to have been associated with the ignition of the fire.

“SCE is not aware of evidence pointing to another possible source of ignition,” Pizarro said. “Absent additional evidence, SCE believes that it is likely that its equipment could be found to have been associated with the ignition.”

The admission came as part of Edison International’s third-quarter earnings filing, marking the company’s first public acknowledgment that its equipment could be tied to the fire’s origin.

The Eaton Fire, which erupted in the San Gabriel Mountains and swept through Altadena and neighboring communities, burned for 24 days, charring more than 14,000 acres, destroying over 9,000 structures, and leaving 19 people dead, according to Cal Fire.

A definitive cause has not yet been determined, but the U.S. Department of Justice last month filed a civil lawsuit against Southern California Edison, alleging that faulty electrical infrastructure operated by the utility sparked the blaze. The government is seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages for what it described as “negligent maintenance and operation” of power equipment.

In addition to the federal action, several private lawsuits have been filed on behalf of residents, insurance companies, and local agencies seeking compensation for property losses and cleanup costs.

Edison said it continues to cooperate with investigators and is conducting its own internal review while working to strengthen its wildfire prevention measures. The company has faced mounting scrutiny and financial risk from wildfire-related liabilities in recent years.

Officials from Cal Fire confirmed Tuesday that the investigation into the Eaton Fire’s ignition source remains ongoing.

In a statement released Tuesday, Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, said the utility believes it is “likely” that Southern California Edison’s equipment could be found to have been associated with the ignition of the fire.

“SCE is not aware of evidence pointing to another possible source of ignition,” Pizarro said. “Absent additional evidence, SCE believes that it is likely that its equipment could be found to have been associated with the ignition.”

The admission came as part of Edison International’s third-quarter earnings filing, marking the company’s first public acknowledgment that its equipment could be tied to the fire’s origin.

The Eaton Fire, which erupted in East Altadena and swept through neighboring communities, burned for 24 days, charring more than 14,000 acres, destroying over 9,000 structures, and leaving 19 people dead.

The City of Pasadena and hundreds of people have filed suit against the utility.