Southern California Edison Reports Surge in Power Line Current on Day of Eaton Fire
Utility says a fault detected miles away caused a brief increase in current on nearby power lines, but it remained within safety limits.
Southern California Edison (SCE) reported a temporary surge in electrical current in the area where the deadly Eaton Fire is believed to have started, following a fault in the transmission network. The utility informed state regulators on Monday that the surge was caused by a fault detected on a power line several miles away from Eaton Canyon, where the fire originated on January 7.
According to SCE, the fault occurred at 6:11 p.m., just minutes before authorities received the first reports of the wind-driven blaze at 6:18 p.m. The utility explained that the disturbance resulted in a “momentary” increase in current across its transmission system, including four active lines in Eaton Canyon. However, SCE stated that the surge remained within the design limits of the transmission lines and did not trigger any protective shutdowns, as intended.
The cause of the Eaton Fire, which devastated the foothill communities of Altadena and Pasadena, is still under investigation. Southern California Edison is facing numerous negligence and wrongful death lawsuits after videos taken by local residents appeared to show flames near one of the utility’s electrical towers, coinciding with hurricane-force Santa Ana winds sweeping through the region.
While SCE had shut off power distribution lines serving homes in the area two hours before the fire started, the transmission lines in Eaton Canyon were left operational. The utility explained that these towers are built to withstand higher wind speeds and remain functional during such conditions.
New video footage, obtained over the weekend by Edelson PC, a law firm representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against SCE, reportedly shows electrical arcs and sparking from a transmission tower in Eaton Canyon. The video, taken from a nearby gas station security camera, shows the sparks followed by the appearance of flames approximately 10 minutes later.
In response, SCE stated that it is reviewing the new video footage to evaluate any potential connection to the fire. The utility also noted that its preliminary investigation found no obvious damage to its equipment in Eaton Canyon. However, SCE said it would continue to assess the condition of its infrastructure in light of the new evidence and the ongoing lawsuits.
The utility confirmed that it is preserving materials from the scene, as requested by the plaintiffs, and some have asked for the transmission lines to be lowered for further inspection. SCE acknowledged that this request is challenging due to the difficult terrain in the area, but the company is working to ensure power is restored to homes in Altadena.
In a separate legal matter, a judge ordered SCE to preserve potentially crucial evidence after Altadena resident Evangeline Iglesias, a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits, accused the utility of planning to discard equipment that may hold clues to the fire’s origin.
Jay Edelson, founder of Edelson PC, commented on the security video, calling it “sheer luck” that such footage existed. He added that his firm believes evidence will emerge during the trial that will help explain why the arcing occurred.
SCE has vowed to thoroughly review all complaints and maintain transparency throughout the investigation. Utility spokesperson David Eisenhauer stated that while the gas station video will require “very careful analysis,” the company remains committed to supporting the communities affected by the fires.
As of Tuesday, at least 29 people have died in the multiple wildfires that erupted in the Los Angeles area this month, causing widespread destruction and billions of dollars in damages. The Eaton Fire, which burned through more than 14,000 acres, was 99% contained according to fire officials.