A Riverside County city filed suit this month against Southern California Edison (SCE), arguing that the utility’s failure to maintain its electrical infrastructure led to last year’s deadly Fairview Fire, which torched more than 28,000 acres.
The city of Hemet filed the claim on Feb. 6 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The complaint seeks damages for the loss of natural resources, public parks and tax revenues, as well as labor and evacuation costs to fight the wildfire last fall.
“SCE had a duty to properly construct, inspect, maintain and operate its electrical equipment in such a manner as to avoid igniting wildfires,” the lawsuit states. “SCE violated these duties by knowingly operating improperly maintained electrical equipment, including but not limited to its Sprague 12Kv circuit.”
The utility’s electrical equipment ignited vegetation beneath power lines in the Hemet area, according to the complaint. Fed by strong winds, the fire destroyed 36 structures, damaged eight other buildings and killed two residents.
SCE is now examining the allegations in the lawsuit, according to a spokeswoman.
“Our thoughts remain with the people affected by the Fairview Fire,” Diane Castro told the Southern California Record. “We are reviewing this action and will respond to it through the proper legal channels.”
The Sept. 5 wildfire led to the evacuation of at least 1,500 homes and a regional response by more than 2,200 firefighters, according to the law firm Baron & Budd P.C., which is representing Hemet in the litigation.
““The deadly Fairview Fire was devastating to the city of Hemet,” Baron & Budd shareholder John Fiske said in a prepared statement. “This lawsuit seeks damages to aid the city in rebuilding after the destruction of this wildfire ravaged their community.”
Heavy rains that fell after the fire was ignited caused additional damage to city facilities due to flooding and mudslides, the complaint says.