Southern California Edison on Tuesday said it believes fire officials are investigating the company for its possible role in the catastrophic wildfires raging across the region.
About 250,000 acres have been burnt by multiple wildfires since last week, triggering some of the largest fire evacuations in the region’s history. Nearly 1,000 structures have been lost, and one person died in the fires.
The largest of the blazes, Ventura County’s Thomass Fire, continues to rage and is now the fifth largest in state history. The fires broke out during an intense Santa Ana windstorm that downed power lines across Southern California. The cause remains undetermined for most of the wildfires with the exception of Bel Air’s Skirball Fire, which investigators traced to a homeless encampment cooking fire.
In a press release, SCE officials said they believe CAL FIRE investigators are looking at the role of its utilities.
“The causes of the wildfires are being investigated by CAL FIRE, other fire agencies and the California Public Utilities Commission. The investigations now include locations beyond those identified last week as the apparent origin of these fires,” the company stated. “SCE believes the investigations now include the possible role of its facilities. SCE continues to cooperate with the investigations. The wildfire investigations may take a considerable amount of time to complete. SCE will provide updated information as circumstances warrant. ”
It’s not the first time this year that a utility has been investigated for its role in California’s wildfires. Authorities have been investigating Pacific Gas & Electric as a potential factor in the wine country fires that killed dozens of people.
Andrea Taylor says:
This statement is redundant
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council says:
How so?
Andrea Taylor says:
Its repeated the same thing I already read this in the Daily News How about how the Bel Air/Skirball fire started by an illegal fire in a homeless encampment under the 405 freeway This is a clear and present danger With so many living in the Encino Creek area and all thru the Sepulveda Basin Much work needs to be done to clear them out so no more fires start LBNC needs to help in this effort
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council says:
Andrea Taylor that’s not what redundant means.
Andrea Taylor says:
Ii know my statement is not redundant but your council needs to do more in the Sepulveda Basin
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council says:
The Police tell us to stay away. Some of the homeless are dangerous and it is best handled by the Army Corps of Engineers and the police. I don’t know why you think that our NC should be doing anything that you certainly won’t be doing.
Andrea Taylor says:
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council Hey you I’m in the phone with our councilpersons office a lot complaining about this I think the council could help clean up some of the trash in the park
Andrea Taylor says:
I do what i can all by myself
Andrea Taylor says:
I do what i can all by myself
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council says:
I’ve heard from Nury’s office about your frequent phone calls. I won’t repeat the comments.