Wiktor Wise
Electrical company equipment has been the cause of many fires, some of which have been among the most destructive in history. For example, in 2018, a wildfire in Southern California that killed three people and destroyed over 1,600 structures was sparked by utility equipment in strong winds. The Woolsey Fire, which began at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Simi Valley, was also likely caused by Southern California Edison equipment, according to the company in 2019. In addition, the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, which destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 people, was sparked by an aging and poorly maintained power line owned by Pacific Gas & Electric. Lawsuits have also been filed against Southern California Edison, claiming that its equipment sparked the deadly Eaton Fire outside Los Angeles in 2025. While the official cause of these fires may not always be determined immediately, it is clear that electrical company equipment has played a significant role in some of the most devastating blazes.
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What You'll Learn
Poorly maintained power lines
In another instance, the 2025 Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, California, destroyed more than 9,000 structures and killed 17 people. While the exact cause is still under investigation, evidence suggests that Southern California Edison's (SCE) equipment may have played a role. SCE had been warned in 2022 that an emergency shutdown could overload power lines in Eaton Canyon, increasing the risk of a wildfire. However, planned fixes were never completed, and SCE delayed shutting off the power, potentially causing dangerous overheating and sparks.
The 2018 Woolsey Fire in Southern California, which destroyed more than 1,600 structures, was also attributed to Southern California Edison's equipment. The company reported an outage on its electrical system and found a pole support wire close to an energized electrical wire. Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud buzzing noise or experiencing a power outage before seeing smoke and fire.
In addition to these incidents, power lines have been linked to the 2023 fire in Lahaina, Hawaii, which killed 102 people, and the Smokehouse Creek fire in Texas, the state's largest fire in history. These fires highlight the need for better maintenance and proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To address the issue of poorly maintained power lines and reduce the risk of fires, several measures can be implemented. Firstly, utility companies should prioritize regular and thorough maintenance of power lines, especially in high-risk areas. This includes inspecting and replacing old or worn-out parts to prevent equipment failure. Additionally, companies should invest in advanced technology, such as TEES, which can help detect and report faults, enabling prompt corrective action.
Furthermore, burying power lines in high-risk areas can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires. While this option is costly, it can save lives and protect communities. Undergrounding lines in risk areas "absolutely must be done," according to veteran energy disaster researcher Robert McCullough. By implementing these measures, utility companies can improve safety and minimize the chances of devastating fires caused by poorly maintained power lines.
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Overhead electrical facilities
Another example is the Woolsey Fire, which was likely caused by Southern California Edison's equipment, according to the company itself and an investigative report. The report stated that a guy wire on a steel pole connected with an energised conductor, causing heated material to fall on vegetation and ignite the fire.
In the case of the Eaton Fire, there is ongoing litigation claiming that Southern California Edison's equipment sparked the blaze. While Edison has denied this, acknowledging only that its equipment may have played a role, eyewitness accounts, security camera footage, and power-line sensing equipment all purport to show that the electrical system of the utility company was at fault.
To mitigate the risk of fires, some companies have implemented measures such as clearing vegetation and upgrading and monitoring equipment. San Diego Gas & Electric, for instance, collects data on every pole and transmission tower in its grid, monitors weather conditions for fire risk, and records video with high-definition cameras across its network.
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Sparks from faulty equipment
One of the most well-known examples of a fire caused by sparks from faulty equipment is the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, which was sparked by an aging and poorly maintained power line owned by Pacific Gas & Electric. The fire destroyed the town of Paradise, killed 85 people, and pushed the company into bankruptcy.
Another example is the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which was determined to have been caused by electrical equipment associated with the Big Rock 16kV circuit, owned and operated by Southern California Edison (SCE). Under strong winds, a guy wire on a steel pole connected with an energized conductor, causing heated material to fall on vegetation and ignite the fire.
In some cases, sparks from faulty equipment can be prevented by upgrading and maintaining power lines, clearing vegetation, and monitoring systems for potential issues. For example, San Diego Gas & Electric has made it a priority to collect data on every pole and transmission tower in its grid, monitor weather conditions for fire risk, and record video with high-definition cameras across its network.
However, in other cases, sparks from faulty equipment can be more difficult to prevent. For instance, even a fully upgraded and vegetation-cleared power line can occasionally collide with a dry branch, especially during powerful winds. This was the case with the Getty Fire in Los Angeles, which was sparked when strong winds caused a broken branch to land across two high-voltage wires.
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Delayed power shutoff
In the context of wildfires, a delayed power shutoff can have devastating consequences. In California, electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) may proactively cut power to electrical lines as a last resort to reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure. This action is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
PSPS events are typically enacted when there is an imminent and significant risk that strong winds may topple power lines or cause major vegetation-related issues, increasing the risk of wildfires. While PSPS can reduce the risk of utility-associated wildfires, they can also leave communities and essential facilities without power, creating hardships, especially for vulnerable populations.
In the case of the 2025 Eaton Fire in California, there has been scrutiny surrounding Southern California Edison's delayed power shutoff. Edison acknowledged that its equipment may have played a role in starting the fire, and public records indicate that the company had been warned about the risk of a power shutdown overloading other transmission lines, potentially causing dangerous overheating and sparks. Despite this knowledge, fixes were repeatedly delayed, and the power shutoff did not occur until after the fire had already broken out.
Another example is the 2018 Woolsey Fire, also in Southern California, which was determined to have been caused by electrical equipment associated with the Big Rock 16kV circuit, owned and operated by Southern California Edison. In this instance, a delay in releasing the investigative report was caused by a California attorney general's office investigation.
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Transformers
One notable incident involving transformers occurred during the 2018 Woolsey Fire in Southern California. It was determined that electrical equipment associated with the Big Rock 16kV circuit, owned by Southern California Edison (SCE), played a pivotal role in igniting the fire. Under strong winds, a guy wire on a steel pole made contact with an energized conductor, resulting in heated material falling onto nearby vegetation and sparking the blaze. This fire claimed the lives of three people and led to the destruction of over 1,600 structures.
In another instance, a transformer was suspected to be the cause of a fire in the Bay Area. While the investigation was still ongoing, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E), California's largest utility company, had already been implicated in over 1,500 fires between 2014 and 2017. PG&E's equipment was also responsible for the deadly Camp Fire in 2018, which ravaged the town of Paradise and resulted in 85 fatalities. The company faced criticism for failing to replace outdated equipment, including a transmission tower that was well beyond its intended lifespan.
The risks associated with transformers and other electrical equipment have prompted some companies to take proactive measures. San Diego Gas & Electric, for example, has invested significant resources into upgrading, maintaining, and monitoring its power lines. They have implemented a comprehensive monitoring system, collecting data from each pole and transmission tower, utilizing weather monitoring stations, and deploying high-definition cameras to enhance their early detection capabilities.
To mitigate the fire risks posed by transformers, PG&E has outlined plans to replace outdated equipment with Cal Fire-certified alternatives. They intend to install transformers that utilize fire-resistant fluid, which can help prevent or slow the spread of fires. Additionally, PG&E aspires to relocate power lines underground in areas that are particularly susceptible to fires, although the high costs associated with this initiative pose a significant challenge.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2018 Camp Fire in California, the 2023 fire in Lahaina, Hawaii, the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the 2017 Thomas Fire, and the 2025 Eaton Fire are some of the most notable fires caused by electric company equipment.
The Camp Fire was caused by an aging and poorly maintained power line owned by Pacific Gas & Electric.
The fire was caused by a downed power line.
The Woolsey Fire was caused by electrical equipment associated with the Big Rock 16kV circuit, owned and operated by Southern California Edison (SCE).
The Thomas Fire was sparked by electrical equipment, specifically by a problem with PG&E equipment.
Lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison, claiming that the utility's equipment sparked the fire. While Edison has acknowledged that its equipment may have played a role, the exact cause is still under investigation.
