Power line had increase in current on day of Eaton Fire, California utility says
High-voltage power lines saw a temporary surge in electrical current in the area where the deadly Eaton Fire is believed to have started following a “fault” on a line elsewhere in the region’s transmission network, Southern California Edison said Monday.
While the fault, or disturbance, occurred several miles away on a power line that does not traverse Eaton Canyon, it was detected at 6:11 p.m. on Jan. 7, the utility said in a filing with state public utilities regulators. That was only minutes before authorities received initial reports of a wind-fueled fire originating in the canyon at 6:18 p.m.
“The fault on this geographically distant line caused a momentary and expected increase in current on SCE’s transmission system, including on the four energized lines” in Eaton Canyon, the utility said, adding, “The current increase remained within the design limits and operating criteria for these circuits and, as intended, did not trigger system protection on these lines.”
The cause of the Eaton Fire, which raced down the canyon and ravaged the foothill communities of Altadena and Pasadena, remains under investigation. Southern California Edison is at the center of a wave of negligence and wrongful death lawsuits after videos taken by residents showed the flames illuminating the base of one of the utility’s electrical towers clustered on a hillside, just as hurricane-force Santa Ana winds tore through the region.
While the utility said it did de-energize power distribution lines that serve homes in the area about two hours before the Eaton Fire started, the transmission lines in Eaton Canyon were not shut off because those towers are stronger and can operate at heavier winds.
New video also emerged over the weekend taken from a nearby gas station surveillance camera around the time of the fire and obtained by Edelson PC, a law firm suing Southern California Edison. The footage purports to show electrical arcs and sparking from a transmission tower in Eaton Canyon, and the orange glow of flames appearing about 10 minutes later.
In its filing Monday, the utility told state regulators it is reviewing the video to assess any connection.
“While our preliminary investigation uncovered no obvious damage to SCE’s facilities, based in part upon this new video and statements made by plaintiffs’ counsel claiming damage, we continue to assess the condition of our equipment in Eaton Canyon,” the utility added.
Utility officials also said they are preserving materials at the scene of the towers as requested by the various lawsuits, and some plaintiffs “have requested that the transmission lines attached to the transmission towers be lowered for further visual inspection and remain de-energized until that can be accomplished.”
“This is a complex request due to the challenging terrain and lack of accessibility in this area,” the utility said, adding that it is still working to return power to homes in Altadena.
A judge ordered materials to be preserved after Altadena resident Evangeline Iglesias, a plaintiff in a lawsuit, accused the utility of planning to discard damaged distribution equipment that may hold clues to the fire’s origin.
“It’s only by sheer luck this footage exists,” Jay Edelson, founder of Edelson PC, which is representing Iglesias, said in a statement about the gas station surveillance video. He added that there will be evidence at trial that “we believe will prove why this arcing occurred.”
The utility has previously said it will review the complaints, and that “our hearts remain with our communities during the devastating fires in Southern California, and we remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time.” It did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment.
At least 29 people have died in the multiple wildfires that erupted this month in the Los Angeles area, destroying thousands of homes and causing billions of dollars in damage. The Eaton Fire, which burned through more than 14,000 acres, was 99% contained as of Tuesday, fire officials said.
Madeline Morrison contributed.
