Los Angeles County Report Identifies Cause of Eaton Fire
Los Angeles County fire officials have concluded that electrical arcing from an out-of-service Southern California Edison transmission tower caused the 2025 Eaton fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 homes and businesses.
The findings, released Tuesday after an 18-month investigation, were based on evidence reviewed with electrical and metallurgical experts. Investigators said two arcing events occurred in quick succession during hot, dry and windy conditions. Burning material apparently fell from the tower, igniting grass and brush within 12 seconds.
The fire spread across 22 square miles, affecting Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge and parts of the San Gabriel Mountains. It took more than two weeks to contain and nearly a month to extinguish. A Pasadena resident who called 911 on January 7 reported seeing a roughly 10-foot-by-10-foot fire at the base of a high-voltage tower.
Southern California Edison spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy said the company is reviewing the report. She noted that the utility had previously acknowledged its equipment was likely associated with the ignition and said it continues supporting recovery efforts.
In separate litigation, Edison has alleged that Los Angeles County agencies delayed evacuation warnings in Altadena and that local water agencies failed to provide sufficient water as the fire spread. Eighteen of the 19 victims lived in west Altadena. The county declined to comment on the latest court filings.
The investigation, conducted jointly by the county’s Arson Fire Investigation Unit and Cal Fire, stated that Edison was responsible for maintaining its equipment in a way that reduced wildfire risk. The report was released as legal and recovery proceedings connected to the disaster continued.
The Eaton fire burned simultaneously with the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,800 structures. A federal arson case related to that blaze is expected to resume.