The Los Angeles County Fire Department released the conclusion of its 18-month investigation into the origins of the Eaton Fire in Southern California, saying the cause of the wildfire was due to electrical arcing on an out-of-service Southern California Edison tower. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The deadly Eaton Fire that devastated Southern California last year was caused by equipment from the local utility company, investigators said Tuesday.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department released the conclusion of its 18-month investigation into the origins of the fire, saying the cause of the wildfire was due to electrical arcing on an out-of-service Southern California Edison tower.
The electrical discharge fell on dry vegetation at the foot of the utility company's Eaton Canyon transmission tower.
"The fuel bed ignited approximately 12 seconds after the burning material was seen falling from the arcing event," the report said. "The Eaton Fire rapidly developed into a conflagration engulfing the areas of the San Gabriel Mountains, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and La Canada Flintridge."
