U.S. Government Seeks Over $77 Million from Southern California Edison in Wildfire Negligence Lawsuits

LOS ANGELES – The United States government has filed two lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the nation's largest electric utility companies, seeking over $77 million in damages. The lawsuits, filed on Thursday, September 4, 2025, allege the company's negligence caused the deadly Eaton and Fairview wildfires, which devastated parts of Southern California. "BREAKING: The U.S. government is suing Southern California Edison, one of the largest electric utility companies in the nation, for tens of millions of dollars for its alleged negligence in the Eaton and Fairview fires," stated a tweet from KTLA, highlighting the significant legal action.

The first lawsuit targets the January 2025 Eaton Fire, which burned nearly 8,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest, killing 19 people and destroying more than 10,000 structures. Federal prosecutors contend that SCE negligently failed to properly maintain its power and transmission lines and infrastructure in the area where the fire ignited. Southern California Edison had previously acknowledged in a July SEC filing that it was "not aware of evidence pointing to another possible source of ignition" for the Eaton Fire.

A second lawsuit addresses the September 2022 Fairview Fire, which scorched nearly 14,000 acres within the San Bernardino National Forest, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of 44 structures. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that a sagging power line owned and operated by SCE came into contact with a communications cable, creating sparks that ignited vegetation below. This action seeks approximately $37 million in damages for the Fairview incident, primarily covering fire suppression and rehabilitation costs.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that the lawsuits reveal "a troubling pattern of negligence resulting in death, destruction, and tens of millions of federal taxpayer dollars spent to clean up one utility company’s mistakes." Southern California Edison spokesperson Gabriela Ornelas confirmed the company is reviewing the lawsuits and will respond "through appropriate legal channels." SCE also emphasized its ongoing commitment to wildfire mitigation efforts, including grid hardening and enhanced operational practices.

These federal actions follow numerous other lawsuits against SCE from Los Angeles County, property owners, and victims of the fires. The legal challenges underscore a broader trend in California regarding utility accountability for wildfires, with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) previously facing bankruptcy and criminal charges related to similar incidents. Essayli stressed that "hardworking Californians should not pick up the tab for Edison’s negligence," indicating that the government aims to prevent rate increases to cover these damages.