LOS ANGELES
The federal government Friday filed a complaint alleging that the Bobcat Fire – one of the largest wildfires ever in Los Angeles County – was caused by the failure of Southern California Edison (SCE) and its tree maintenance contractor.
The lawsuit alleges that SCE and Utility Tree Service failed to maintain trees properly. According to the Department of Justice, the trees came into contact with power lines and caused the 2020 blaze.
The lawsuit, seeking more than $100 million in damages, alleges that the SCE and Utility Tree Service (UTS) were negligent.
According to authorities, this caused a fire that burned more than 114,000 acres, nearly 100,000 of which were in the Angeles National Forest.
(KCAL news story 2020)
The U.S. Forest Service sustained fire suppression costs in excess of $56 million. It resulted in property and environmental damages of over $65 million, according to the complaint.
“Forest Service investigators determined that the Bobcat Fire ignited due to a tree in contact with power lines (conductors) owned and operated by SCE and maintained by SCE and UTS,” the lawsuit states. “The contact resulted in ignition of vegetation on a branch, which fell to the ground and spread.”
The wildfire started on September 6, 2020, and ultimately destroyed 171 structures and 178 vehicles, damaged 47 structures, and resulted in the widespread evacuation of residences.
Nearly three years later, more than 100 miles of trails and numerous campgrounds remain closed to the public.
(ABC7 news story 2020)
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Quist and Joseph W. Tursi of the Civil Division’s Complex and Defensive Litigation Section are handling this matter.