Federal lawsuits accuse SoCal Edison of wildfire negligence

Acting U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli on Thursday announced two federal lawsuits accusing Southern California Edison of negligence in the Eaton and Fairview wildfires. The blazes scorched tens of thousands of acres, killed more than 20 people, and destroyed thousands of homes.

Attorneys representing dozens of plaintiffs in state court lawsuits over the Eaton Fire said the federal actions could strengthen their own cases, while evidence from their litigation may also bolster the government's claims.

"The United States government is seeking $37 million from SoCal Edison for damages that the United States incurred, including about $20 million in fire suppression costs for the Fairview fire," Essayli told a news conference.

"I want to be very clear about this," he continued. "It is our intention that Southern California Edison, the company itself, and not the rate payers, will bear the burden of these costs. Innocent, hardworking Californians who pay their electricity bills should not have to pay for Edison's negligence by incurring higher utility rates."

He added, "While no lawsuit can bring back loved ones lost or destroyed homes, we hope that today's complaints will be a first step in ensuring that Edison changes the way it does business that it becomes a responsible party, instead of a party that causes harm, destruction and misery and devastates our region."

Edison spokeswoman Gabriela Ornelas responded to Essayli's lawsuits in a phone call on Thursday.

"Our thoughts are with the community impacted by the Fairview Fire," Ornelas said. "We are reviewing the lawsuit and will respond through the appropriate legal channel. We continue our work to reduce the likelihood of our equipment starting a wildfire. SCE is committed to wildfire mitigation through grid hardening, situational awareness and enhanced operational practices."

Ornelas said, "the Eaton Fire was heartbreaking. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, we will review this lawsuit and respond through the appropriate legal channel."

The Fairview Fire ignited on Sept. 5, 2022, in Riverside County's part of the San Bernardino National Forest, burning nearly 14,000 acres, causing two deaths and destroying dozens of structures. U.S.A. v. Southern California Edison, CV 25- 8356 (C.D. Cal, filed Sept 4, 2025).

The Eaton Fire, which began on Jan. 7, near Altadena and Pasadena, rapidly engulfed over 14,000 acres, including Angeles National Forest land, killed at least 19 people, and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings.

Essayli said the Eaton lawsuit alleges that Edison failed to properly maintain power and transmission lines in the area where the fire ignited. U.S.A. v. Southern California Edison, 2:25-cv-08357 (C.D. Cal, filed Sept. 4, 2025).

"SoCal Edison has stated that it operates three transmission towers in the Eaton Canyon area overlooking Altadena where the fire ignited," he said. "The company has admitted that it detected a fault on one of its transmission lines around the time that the fire ignited. The Eaton fire has cost the United States more than $40 million in damages, including millions of dollars in fire suppression costs - costs incurred because of Edison's negligence."

It was similar negligence that led to the Fairview blaze, Essayli said.

"That fire killed two people, injured more than three, including two firefighters, and burned 44 structures," he said. "Both fires caused tens of millions of dollars' worth of damages incurred by the United States for fire suppression costs, destruction of fire detection facilities, damage or destruction to Forest Service roads and popular hiking trails and campground sites and harm to federally protected threatened and endangered wildlife species."

Edison is already facing claims related to the Eaton fire in Los Angeles County Superior Court by individual, subrogation and public entity plaintiffs. Gursey v. Southern California Edison, 25STCV00731 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Jan. 13, 2025).

Edison is represented in the state court case by Hueston Hennigan LLP attorneys Douglas J. Dixon and Michael A. Behrens in Newport Beach, as well as Brittani A. Jackson of Los Angeles. They did not respond to phoned or emailed requests for comment by press time on Thursday.

Shant A. Karnikian of Kabateck LLP in Los Angeles, who represents Eaton Fire victims in state court, said the federal lawsuit bodes well for his clients.

"It's always good when another party, and a significant party like the United States government, points the finger at who we have been pointing the finger at, which is Southern California Edison," Karnikian said in a phone call on Thursday. "It's especially good when it's coming from the Trump administration, which sort of has a love affair with corporate America and pleasing big corporations.

"The evidence that's developed in the state court case will benefit this case, or the evidence that's developed in this case will benefit the state court case, I think. If anything, assuming the evidence comes out in favor of the plaintiffs in either case, it can only help benefit them."

Kiley L. Grombacher of Bradley Grombacher LLP in Westlake Village, who represents minor plaintiffs in the state court proceedings, hailed the federal lawsuits in an emailed statement on Thursday.

"The Justice Department's lawsuits demonstrate Southern California Edison's willingness to endanger California families through an unconscionable pattern of negligence," Grombacher said. "The pattern has cost lives, destroyed homes, and left entire communities contaminated with toxic chemicals. The California Fire Victims Law Center stands with every victim in demanding full accountability and just compensation for the destruction SCE has wrought upon our neighborhoods." 

Essayli's lawsuit follows a similar federal complaint filed against Edison in the Eastern District of California by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant on Tuesday concerning the 2022 Nutmeg Fire in Fresno County.

"The fire started as a result of defendants' negligence and burned approximately nine acres of land before the Forest Service suppressed the fire," Grant's complaint read. "The United States brings claims for damages against defendants for more than $1 million, which includes the fire suppression and other costs incurred by the Forest Service." U.S.A. v. Southern California Edison Company, et al., 1:25-cv-01115-KES-BAM (E.D. Cal., filed Sept. 2, 2025).