ALTADENA, Calif. — Weeks after a wildfire tore through Altadena, SoCal Edison on Monday began inspecting the electrical equipment in Eaton Canyon — where some believe the fire started.

What You Need To Know

  • SoCal Edison began inspecting the electrical equipment in Eaton Canyon

  • Many people have filed lawsuits against the utility, claiming that their electrical equipment in Eaton Canyon caused the wildfire

  • The Eaton Fire destroyed more than 9,000 structures and charred 14,000 acres

  • SCE officials said they are working with city and county officials in the site examination

The examination of the electrical towers is “in line with SCE’s commitment to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation,” an SCE spokesperson said in a news release. 

It is the first time the utility will do a close-up physical and video inspection of their electrical towers in the area since the wildfire erupted in January. 

Fueled by high winds, the so-called Eaton Fire, which began on Jan. 7, destroyed over 9,000 structures and charred 14,000 acres of Altadena and Pasadena in a 24-day span. At least 17 people died. 

Multiple lawsuits have blamed SoCal Edison’s equipment as the source of the fire. 

SoCal Edison previously informed the California Public Utilities Commission they had no evidence suggesting their equipment caused the ignition.

“Preliminary analysis by SCE of electrical circuit information for the energized transmission lines going through the area for 12 hours prior to the reported start time of the fire shows no interruptions or electrical or operational anomalies until more than one hour after the reported start time of the fire,” the utility wrote, according to the Associated Press. 

SCE officials said they are working with fire investigators, LA County, Pasadena and Sierra Madre officials and attorneys representing residents in the site examinations. 

SCE officials said the testing phase will continue for several weeks in the field, followed by lab and engineering analysis.

“These inspections will be conducted in close cooperation with other stakeholders as part of a coordinated effort and shared with all parties,” SCE said. 

Following the upcoming inspection and testing, SCE officials said they would not release any immediate findings and expect the full investigation to last several months. 

After the testing phase, SCE, along with other fire experts, will review the data and analyze the results.

SCE officials said since the containment of the Eaton and Palisades fires, their crews have been working to rebuild the electrical system “with a mission of building back stronger and more resilient.”

Teams have been working to replace damaged equipment with fire-resistant equipment and covered conductors.

SCE officials added that crews have expedited undergrounding projects and began work to underground multiple sections of lines in Altadena and Malibu.