Radio communications indicate that power lines sparked more fires in Los Angeles after the Eaton Fire began. [source]
In the days following the initial eruption of the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, firefighters noted that power lines operated by Southern California Edison were still live and were startling new fires, according to radio traffic obtained by NPR.
The recordings also indicate the utility company was late responding to repeated requests from firefighters to sever power, giving vague and, at times, incorrect information to crews working to contain the Eaton Fire, which led to 17 deaths and cost billions of dollars in damages.
The latest audio evidence comes after video footage and voltage data had connected SoCal Edison’s transmission towers to the fire’s initial outbreak on Jan. 7. Since then, several lawsuits have been filed, claiming the company is responsible for the destruction.
Full containment took more than three weeks, and the Eaton Fire burned 14,000 acres and destroyed over 10,000 structures. NPR reviewed almost 100 hours of firefighter radio traffic from the Eaton Fire, which had been downloaded from Broadcastify, a live audio streaming site. The recordings show that SoCal Edison’s operations in impacted areas have impeded firefighting.
[source]
Was SoCal Edison To Blame?
“I’d like to see if we can get Edison out here to evaluate the scene and see if we can separate power shutoff of everything north of the Sierra Madre, Baldwin Avenue west,” one firefighter asked just after midnight on Jan. 8. [source]
What the firefighting effort looks like near Sacramento] Geolocated footage underscores that the area referenced by the firefighter was below the Eaton Fire’s perimeter on an operational map at the time. SoCal Edison could not immediately shut off power in that area.
“I just met with Edison’s representatives. They are unable to guarantee a shutdown in this area,” a firefighter radioed at 1:05 a.m., some seven hours after the fire started. “They’re a little short on manpower so we’ll just have to treat everything as live and be alert.” [source]
In high winds and dry conditions, it’s even more dangerous, as power lines can spark or tip over, said the overseer of the firefight. Although embers and other causes can also start wildfires, live power lines add more hazards for first responders and can create new fires in seconds.
“If they burn and the wind lifts an ember onto dried palm fronds, that’s all it takes — especially with winds blowing so hard,” said Sheila Kelliher, a Los Angeles County Fire Department fire captain. “That’s all it takes.” [source]
By the night of Jan. 8, firefighters were calling on SoCal Edison to shut off electricity to a second neighborhood — Altadena. Most of the 17 victims of the Eaton Fire died in that area. [source]
The Weather Took a Turn Toward the Worst
The weather in Altadena deteriorated further around 10 p.m.
“The combination of low humidity, dry vegetation and changing winds has increased the threat for spot fires and rapid fire spread,” firefighters said in an incident report obtained by NPR.
Despite the challenging conditions, first responders radioed over that SoCal Edison could not de-energize in a timely manner in the Altadena region.
“ We were told from our SoCal Edison contact that all wires, down and otherwise, need to be treated as energized,” a firefighter in Altadena told dispatchers before 10:47 p.m. “They don’t have a game plan tonight to mitigate this.” … They are considering fixing it tomorrow morning.” [source]
“It is Edison’s responsibility to be available to emergency responders in these situations. Their EOC was operational,” Wara said. “It’s surprising that they would assert they didn’t try to help emergency responders in these circumstances.” [source]
SoCal Edison declined NPR’s request for a recorded interview and did not answer emailed questions. However, a spokesperson, Kathleen Dunleavy, gave a recorded statement over the telephone, and she later added that the company had been “adequately staffed for the event.” [source]
Some information about the power shutoffs during the Eaton Fire should be public. California energy companies must report to a state commission when power is cut off for public safety and when it is restored. These reports must be filed 10 days after the end of the shutoff—one of the first power gut-offs for the Eaton Fire was on Jan. 7.
However, NPR could find no such reports from SoCal Edison on the website where they’re publicly listed. “That’s because they have not yet been filed,” said Dunleavy, the company’s spokesman. [source]
Power Lines Sparked Other Blazes
According to the state agency, on the morning of Jan. 10, two days after firefighters asked SoCal Edison to shut off power in Altadena, firefighters saw electrical sparks from power lines in the area.
“Eaton operations, reports on downed power lines arcing off 1946 Altadena Drive,” a firefighter radioed shortly after 9:30 a.m. [source]
Later that afternoon, another firefighter noticed new arcing power lines in Altadena and new fires igniting close to the fire’s perimeter.
“I have an emergent — looks like re-energized power lines in the Zulu area is arcing downed lines, and we’re getting new ignitions,” the firefighter said. “Can you please confirm with Edison those lines are charged? If that is the case, we need them to stop now.” [source]
SoCal Edison personnel and apparatus weren’t the only potential sources of electrical current in the power lines. Some residents also rely on generators to power their homes, which, when hooked up incorrectly, can feed electricity back into the system. SoCal Edison initially said this was the case for firefighters.
“I just got off the phone with Edison,” a firefighter radioed at 2:23 p.m. “They confirm they are not re-energizing and residents are utilizing generators to restore power.” [source]
But just days after that message went out, a fire erupted inside a home on Lincoln Avenue, which fell within the Zulu area where firefighters had earlier warned that the power was still on.
First responders reported that the structure had downed wires on it.
These were not generators running the lines.
“Confirmed with Edison units on ground—these lines are live. They have recharged the lines,” a firefighter said at 2:53 p.m. [source]
“Copy the residents who used generators. Did this? another first responder who had asked the question. [source]
“Nega-tive,” the first firefighter said. “They recharged the lines, as confirmed by SoCal Edison representatives in the field. They’re doing circuit testing.”[source]
Southern California Edison CEO Pedro Pizarro has stated that the company is investigating whether its equipment may have ignited the Eaton Fire. But after the fire ignited, the radio communications reviewed by NPR showed failures in the protocol, Wara said. [source]
“Edison must restore power safely and not create additional hazards,” Wara said. If downed lines are restored and the system is re-energized, new starts will follow—precisely what the firefighters discussed. [source]
Contact The Eaton Fire Lawyers At The Wagner Law Group
Both fires were highly destructive, claiming more than 29 lives and 18,000 structures. If you or a loved one faced loss due to Eaton Fire or Pacific Palisades Fire, please don’t hesitate to contact the California fire attorneys at The Wagner Law Group. We’re standing by to fight for you in a court of law. Let our Eaton fire lawyers get you the compensation you deserve. Call 626-310-3796 to schedule a consultation today.