Edison Creates Wildfire Fund for Eaton Fire Victims

New York Times

23-07-2025

Southern California Edison on Wednesday announced a wildfire compensation program for victims of January's deadly Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles area.
California officials have not concluded that the fire, which killed 17 people and destroyed more than 9,400 buildings in Altadena, was set by the utility company's equipment, and Edison has not accepted responsibility for it. But by setting up the fund before an official cause is identified, Edison appears to be suggesting that it will be found responsible for igniting the blaze.
The utility's Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program will begin this fall. The company says the effort will expedite claims for homeowners and renters, including for total and partial structure loss, commercial property loss, business interruption, smoke and ash damage, physical injury and fatalities. The program is designed as an alternative to potentially lengthy lawsuits.
'Community members shouldn't have to wait for the final conclusions in the Eaton Fire investigation to get the financial support they need to begin rebuilding,' Pedro J. Pizarro, president and chief executive of Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, said in a statement. 'Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still being evaluated, S.C.E. will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly. This allows the community to focus more on recovery instead of lengthy, expensive litigation.'
Wildfire victims have filed scores of lawsuits against Edison, accusing the utility of causing the Eaton Fire. These cases have cited a broad body of evidence pointing to the power company's electrical equipment.
A gas station video and data from sensors operated by Whisker Labs, a technology company, indicated that Edison's power lines in the Altadena area were under stress as winds reached 100 m.p.h. The video appears to show power lines in Eaton Canyon sparking before flames ignited.
Edison said it was working with Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, who specialize in developing and administering compensation funds. The pair have been involved in such funds, including those that benefited the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Participation in the wildfire recovery program through Edison is voluntary, the utility said.