Sept 18, 2020; Valyermo, CA, USA; Los Angeles County Firefighters 1106 work to extinguish the Bobcat Fire in Valyermo, California, one of the many neighborhoods near Angeles National Forest that have been threatened by the Fire. The Bobcat Fire, which has been burning since Sept. 6, is now 15% contained. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Hill-USA TODAY
Los Angeles, California – Southern California Edison (SCE) has agreed to pay $82.5 million to the United States in connection with the devastating 2020 Bobcat Fire, marking the largest-ever wildfire cost recovery settlement in the Central District of California. The payment will go toward reimbursing the U.S. Forest Service for firefighting expenses and environmental damage resulting from the blaze, which scorched a large portion of the Angeles National Forest.
The Bobcat Fire, which ignited in early September 2020, burned more than 114,000 acres—approximately 175 square miles. Nearly 100,000 acres of the affected land lay within federally protected areas of the Angeles National Forest. The fire forced the closure of over 100 miles of trails and numerous campgrounds and severely disrupted recreational access, wildlife habitats, and cultural heritage sites.
Federal authorities alleged that the wildfire was caused by SCE’s failure to properly maintain trees near its power lines. The lawsuit, filed in September 2023 by the U.S. Department of Justice, claimed that unmaintained trees came into contact with SCE’s electrical equipment, sparking the fire. Utility Tree Service, SCE’s tree maintenance contractor, was also named in the suit.
The settlement agreement, which took effect on May 14, does not include any admission of liability by SCE. Nevertheless, the $82.5 million payment is a significant acknowledgment of the fire’s massive toll on public lands and federal resources. SCE has 60 days from the agreement’s effective date to deliver the payment.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Bobcat Fire had a lasting impact on sensitive ecosystems, including habitats for endangered and threatened species such as the mountain yellow-legged frog, several bird species, and native fish. The damage also extended to irreplaceable cultural and historical resources in the region.
Federal officials emphasized that holding responsible parties accountable for wildfires is critical to funding restoration efforts and protecting public lands in the future. The money recovered through this settlement will support the rehabilitation of burned areas, repair damaged infrastructure, and restore ecosystems in the Angeles National Forest.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service, and the settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Quist and Joseph Tursi from the Central District of California’s Complex and Defensive Litigation Section.
Federal prosecutors have made clear that they will continue to pursue legal action to recover firefighting costs and environmental damages when wildfires are linked to corporate negligence.
