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Southern California Edison (SCE) is investigating whether its equipment may have ignited the Hurst Fire in Los Angeles. The Hurst Fire ignited on January 7, 2025, in the Sylmar neighborhood, burning approximately 799 acres before being fully contained on January 16.
In a filing with state utility regulators, SCE stated, “Absent additional evidence, SCE believes its equipment may be associated with the ignition of the Hurst Fire.”
The utility is also examining whether an idle transmission line became energized and possibly sparked the Eaton Fire, which ignited the same day and devastated Altadena. SCE is reviewing video evidence suggesting a possible link but has not found definitive indications, such as broken conductors or fresh arc marks, to confirm this association. The Hurst Fire did not result in any fatalities or structural damage, unlike the Eaton and Palisades fires, which collectively caused at least 29 deaths and destroyed thousands of homes. SCE is cooperating with ongoing investigations into the causes of these fires.
The utility’s equipment has been implicated in previous wildfires, leading to increased scrutiny and calls for improved safety measures. SCE has stated that it is committed to enhancing its infrastructure and protocols to prevent future incidents.
As investigations continue, SCE faces potential legal and financial repercussions if its equipment is found to have caused the fires. The utility has previously settled lawsuits related to wildfire damages and may confront further claims depending on the outcomes of current probes.
