Thomas Fire: Deadly 2017 wildfire found sparked by So. California Edison power lines

Source: Reuters

ENVIRONMENT MARCH 13, 2019 / 4:47 PM / UPDATED 14 HOURS AGO

Deadly 2017 wildfire found sparked by So. California Edison power lines

Steve Gorman
4 MIN READ

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The devastating Thomas Fire that killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 structures northwest of Los Angeles in December 2017 was sparked by power lines owned by Southern California Edison Co, fire officials said on Wednesday.

An investigation of the fire’s origins found that high winds blew Edison power lines into one another, creating an electrical arc that “deposited hot, burning or molten material” into dry vegetation on the ground, setting off the blaze, the Ventura County Fire Department said in a statement.

In a 70-plus page report, investigators also cited several possible criminal violations by Edison in connection with the fire, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless arson and a health-safety code breach for carelessly or negligently causing a fire.

A review by the state attorney general will decide whether criminal charges will be brought.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-fire-edison/deadly-2017-wildfire-found-sparked-by-so-california-edison-power-lines-idUSKCN1QU2VX