Southern California Edison, Frontier Communications, and Utility Tree Service have paid a combined $22 million to settle claims related to the Rey Fire in August 2016. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the United States Forest Service to recover some of the costs related to managing the destructive wildfire.
The Rey Fire started in the Los Padres National Forest on Aug. 18, 2016, when a tree fell onto power and communication lines owned by Frontier and Edison. The United States Department of Justice alleged that this caused a malfunction which resulted in an energized line falling to the ground, igniting a fire in dry brush.
The fire, which burned for nearly a month, scorched 32,000 acres, including 19,000 acres within the national forest system.
Joseph T. McNally, a federal prosecutor for the DOJ, stated that the settlement will compensate the public for the expense of fighting the Rey Fire and restoring federal lands. He also reiterated the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to aggressively pursuing recovery against those who cause damages to national resources.
As part of the settlement, none of the involved companies admitted any fault in causing the blaze, which resulted in hundreds of people being displaced and two non-fatal injuries.
This case comes as a reminder of the role utilities can play in wildfire outbreaks, particularly in regions like California where climate conditions can make areas prone to such disasters. It underscores the importance of proper management and maintenance of utility equipment to prevent such incidents.