LA Fire Investigation Update

Investigations into the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires—including the catastrophic Eaton, Palisades, and Hurst fires —are ongoing, with utility equipment, human activity, and prior blazes under scrutiny. Here’s the latest:

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Eaton Fire Investigation

• Status: Cause undetermined, but Southern California Edison (SCE) acknowledges possible equipment involvement[3][24].

• Key Evidence:

• Security footage from a Pasadena gas station appears to show sparks near SCE transmission lines at 6:11 p.m. PT on January 7, aligning with the fire’s start time[4].

• Lawsuits filed against SCE claim the fire originated near its Eaton Canyon towers, citing video/photographic evidence and witness accounts[16][23].

• SCE reports no "typical" signs of equipment failure (e.g., broken conductors) but plans to lower power lines for closer inspection[3].

• Impact: 17 fatalities, 10,491+ structures destroyed, making it California’s second-most destructive wildfire[4].

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Palisades Fire Investigation

1. Status: ATF-led probe focuses on two theories[2][30]:

1. Prior Fire Re-Ignition: A smaller blaze (Lachman Fire) on January 1, possibly caused by fireworks, may have reignited due to extreme winds[2].

2. New Ignition: Human activity near Skull Rock, a hiking hotspot, is also under review[18].

2. Key Findings:

1. Investigators mapped a grid near Skull Rock, reviewed 90+ hours of video, and conducted 50+ interviews[2].

2. LADWP confirmed its nearby reservoir was empty but denied equipment involvement[27].

3. Impact: 12 fatalities, 6,831 structures destroyed, 23,448 acres burned[10][33].

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Hurst Fire Investigation

• Status: LAFD suspects SCE’s downed conductor in Sylmar caused the fire[5][35].

• Key Evidence:

• A damaged conductor was found near the ignition site, though SCE cannot confirm if damage preceded the fire[5].

• The fire burned 799 acres but caused no structural damage[5][29].

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Legal and Investigative Actions

• Lawsuits: Four lawsuits target SCE over the Eaton Fire, alleging negligence[16][23].

• Regulatory Reports: SCE submitted updates to the CPUC on February 6, maintaining no definitive cause for Eaton/Hurst fires but pledging transparency[3][26].

• Task Force: A Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force investigates arson, burglary, and fraud linked to the wildfires[22].

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Arson Arrests (Unrelated to Major Fires)

• 9 suspects (mostly unhoused or mentally ill) were arrested for small-scale arson during the wildfires, including dumpster and trash fires[1].

• Authorities clarify these incidents did not spark the Eaton, Palisades, or Hurst fires[1].

Investigations are expected to take months, with SCE’s full Eaton Fire report pending[3]. Updates will hinge on forensic analysis, equipment inspections, and witness testimonies.

Sources

[1] Behind the arson arrests during the firestorm: Cases reveal L.A.’s burning problem https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-06/arson-arrests-los-angeles-wildfires

[2] What — or who — started the Palisades fire? Two leading theories emerge as investigation intensifies https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-30/inside-the-intense-search-for-what-or-who-started-the-palisades-fire

[3] Edison International’s Utility – Southern California Edison – Submits Reports on Eaton and Hurst Wildfires to State Regulators https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250206881395/en/Edison-International%E2%80%99s-Utility-%E2%80%93-Southern-California-Edison-%E2%80%93-Submits-Reports-on-Eaton-and-Hurst-Wildfires-to-State-Regulators

[4] Video of sparks points to Eaton Fire’s origins, lawsuit says https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/us/eaton-fire-video-shows-sparks/index.html

[5] Officials investigating whether Southern California Edison equipment ignited Hurst fire https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-12/officials-investigating-whether-southern-california-edison-equipment-ignited-hurst-fire

[6] Feds share new information about Palisades fire investigation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qne0JPOU-1E

[7] Submits Reports on Eaton and Hurst Wildfires to State Regulators ... https://newsroom.edison.com/releases/edison-internationals-utility-southern-california-edison-submits-reports-on-eaton-and-hurst-wildfires-to-state-regulators

[8] ‘It’s tedious. It’s dirty. It’s not fun:’ Searching for answers in the wildfire wreckage https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/15/us/start-of-la-fires-investigation-invs/index.html

[9] Downed SoCal Edison conductor being investigated near spot where Hurst Fire broke out in Sylmar https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/downed-socal-edison-conductor-being-investigated-near-spot-where-hurst-fire-broke-out-in-sylmar/

[10] Palisades Fire: Incident Update on 02/03/2025 at 2:03 PM | CAL FIRE https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire/updates/fd5da177-2bbc-489d-b9eb-f3e7cd493b58

[11] Are arsonists responsible for the L.A. wildfires? What we know so far https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/are-arsonists-responsible-los-angeles-wildfires-rcna186949

[12] California utility investigating 'every possibility' for cause of Eaton ... https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/power-grid/outage-management/california-utility-investigating-every-possibility-for-cause-of-eaton-fire-including-its-own-equipment/

[13] Palisades Fire: Incident Update on 02/05/2025 at 8:31 AM | CAL FIRE https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire/updates/dc2c46f5-957a-47b7-ba3e-a903596ed85d

[14] January 2025 Southern California wildfires - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taft_Fire

[15] Alerts | Los Angeles Fire Department https://lafd.org/alerts

[16] What (or who) sparked L.A. County wildfires? Here’s where investigations stand https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-01-14/what-or-who-sparked-l-a-county-wildfires-heres-where-investigations-stand-essential-california

[17] Live updates: Los Angeles battles Palisades and Eaton fires as California struggles with containment efforts https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-14-25-hnk/index.html

[18] LIVE: California fires updates for Thursday, Feb. 6 https://www.foxla.com/news/california-fires-updates-thursday-feb-6

[19] Lawsuits claim utility equipment sparked one LA fire, investigation ongoing https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/01/14/lawsuits-claim-utility-equipment-sparked-one-la-fire-investigation-ongoing/

[20] Los Angeles wildfires: Updates from Jan. 13, 2025 https://apnews.com/live/los-angeles-wildfires-updates-1-13-25

[21] The L.A. Fire Where Something Went Right https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/magazine/la-fires-emergency-response-mutual-aid.html

[22] LA wildfires day 11: What is the latest, and what do investigations show? https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/17/la-wildfires-day-11-what-is-the-latest-and-what-do-investigations-show

[23] Los Angeles Fire Lawsuit - February 2025 Update | King Law https://www.robertkinglawfirm.com/los-angeles-fire-lawsuit/

[24] Southern California Edison probing possible link to Los Angeles fires https://www.reuters.com/world/us/southern-california-edison-probing-possible-link-los-angeles-fires-2025-02-06/

[25] Investigation launched into L.A. County’s faulty emergency alert system https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-03/investigation-l-a-county-faulty-emergency-alerts

[26] Submits Reports on Eaton and Hurst Wildfires to State Regulators https://finance.yahoo.com/news/edison-international-utility-southern-california-132900698.html

[27] Investigators to examine LADWP's empty reservoir during Palisades ... https://www.nbclosangeles.com/investigations/outside-investigations-to-examine-ladwps-empty-reservoir-during-palisades-fire/3617569/

[28] Submits Reports on Eaton and Hurst Wildfires to State Regulators ... https://newsroom.edison.com/releases/edison-internationals-utility-southern-california-edison-submits-reports-on-eaton-and-hurst-wildfires-to-state-regulators

[29] Hurst Fire | CAL FIRE - CA.gov https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/hurst-fire

[30] This Is Where the Palisades Fire Started - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/us/palisades-fire-cause-ignition-point-site.html

[31] Eaton Fire | CAL FIRE - CA.gov https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire

[32] Possible cause of Hurst Fire in CA identified - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwqbW9hypx8

[33] Palisades Fire - Cal Fire - CA.gov https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire

[34] Eaton Fire cause under investigation - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR5K4Ho_Msk

[35] Fire agencies to investigate potential Edison link to LA Hurst fire https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fire-agencies-investigate-potential-edison-link-la-hurst-fire-2025-01-11/

[36] Investigation into Palisades Fire zeroes in on street in ... - 6ABC https://6abc.com/post/palisades-fire-investigation-wildfire-focusing-la-costa-street-highlands-community/15796814/

[37] Eaton Fire Investigation Update! - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ariassanguinettilawyers/videos/eaton-fire-investigation-update/1299119321310942/

[38] Investigators comb through ashes of Palisades Fire to find its cause https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pacific-palisades-wildfire-investigation-rcna188488