One of the largest utility companies in California will pay the U.S. Forest Service $82.5 million due to a wildfire that ravaged thousands of acres of forest, as announced by the government on Friday.
The Bobcat Fire in 2020 devastated the San Gabriel Mountains in northern Los Angeles, destroying numerous buildings in the process.
The U.S. government noted that Edison in Southern California failed to maintain proper control near power lines, which ultimately ignited a fire when trees came into contact with a live wire.
A lawsuit filed in 2023 sought damages from the utility for the expenses related to extinguishing the wildfire on Forest Service lands and for restoring the damage inflicted on campsites, trails, and wildlife habitats.
“This unprecedented settlement provides significant compensation for taxpayers who bore the costs of combating the Bobcat Fire and the extensive damage to public lands,” stated Attorney Bill Essay.
He added that his office will continue to pursue accountability and seek damages from any parties responsible for harming public forests and essential national resources.
Edison has a history of hefty payouts related to wildfires attributed to its equipment’s negligence.
In 2017, the company settled for $2.7 billion over the Thomas Fire, which impacted Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of hundreds of structures.
Additionally, it paid $2.2 billion for the 2018 Woolsey fire that affected Los Angeles and Ventura counties, leading to three deaths and damage to over 1,600 buildings.
Investigators looking into the fatal Eaton Fire, one of the two wildfires that swept through Los Angeles earlier this year, are examining the SCE transmission line as a potential ignition source.
