Southern California Edison will pay a record-breaking price to settle a lawsuit alleging the utility sparked a massive blaze in Los Angeles County.
Edison has agreed to pay $82.5 million, the largest settlement by the U.S. in California’s Central District, for its role in the Bobcat Fire, which burned for more than 80 days and scorched 116,000 acres in the fall of 2020.
The federal government alleged that the fire was sparked on Sept. 6, 2020, when trees came into contact with SCE power lines. Prosecutors accused Edison and its tree maintenance contractor of not properly maintaining those trees to prevent potential flares.
The fire burned approximately 175 square miles, primarily in the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains, and caused extensive damage to public lands and habitats of several federally protected species.
The blaze also destroyed 171 structures, damaged 47 others, totaled 178 vehicles, and displaced thousands of residents while blanketing much of Southern California under a dense cloud of acrid smoke.
More than 100 miles of trails and multiple National Forest campgrounds were closed for years by the Bobcat Fire, which grew to be one of the largest and most expensive fires in the county’s history.
The settlement with SCE will help the federal government recoup costs of battling the blaze, which was estimated to have cost more than $100 million.
As part of the agreement, Edison did not admit fault or any wrongdoing.
“We are grateful to receive these settlement funds, which mark an important step toward recovery and restoration,” said Angeles National Forest Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez. “These resources will help us rehabilitate burned areas, restore wildlife habitats, and strengthen our forests’ resilience to future wildfires.”
The settlement was agreed to on May 14, and Edison will have 60 days from that date to complete its payment, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
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