|
The U.S. Justice Department announced the payment by Southern
California Edison on Thursday. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said
in a statement that the settlement provides "meaningful
compensation to taxpayers for the extensive costs of fighting
the ... fire and for the widespread damage to public lands."
Edison agreed to pay the settlement within 60 days of its
effective date, May 14, without admitting wrongdoing or fault,
prosecutors said.
Utility spokesperson Diane Castro said, “Our hearts are with the
people who were affected by the Bobcat Fire. We are pleased to
have resolved this matter and will continue to advance wildfire
mitigation measures."
The settlement stemmed from a 2023 lawsuit filed by federal
prosecutors on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service against Edison
and Utility Tree Service to recover costs from fighting the
so-called Bobcat Fire and for the extensive damage that it
caused to the Angeles National Forest.
The government alleged that the fire ignited when trees that
were not properly maintained by the utility and its tree
maintenance contractor came into contact with power lines.
Damage from the fire closed campgrounds and more than 100 miles
(161 kilometers) of trails for years and harmed habitat for the
federally endangered wildlife-mountain yellow-legged frog and
federally threatened fish and birds, the government said.
“These resources will help us rehabilitate burned areas, restore
wildlife habitats and strengthen our forests’ resilience to
future wildfires,” said Deputy Forest Supervisor Tony Martinez
of the Angeles National Forest.
The fire charred about 178 square miles (461 square kilometers).
Last year, the utility agreed to pay $80 million to settle
claims on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service connected to a
massive wildfire that destroyed more than a thousand homes and
other structures in 2017.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the Eaton
Fire, which destroyed at least 7,000 homes and other structures
and laid waste to entire neighborhoods earlier this year.
Lawsuits against SCE say the utility’s equipment sparked the
blaze.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
