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Utility Company, Contractors Pay $22M to Settle 2016 Wildfire Claims
LOS ANGELES – A devastating wildfire that ravaged over 32,000 acres of California’s Los Padres National Forest in 2016 has led to a $22 million settlement between Southern California Edison (SCE), Utility Tree Service LLC (UTS), and Frontier Communications Holdings LLC.
The 2016 Rey Fire was sparked on August 18, 2016, when a tree fell onto powerlines and communication lines owned by SCE and Frontier, respectively. The fire caused extensive damages to the surrounding area and resulted in a lawsuit filed by the United States on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service in 2019.
The lawsuit alleged that the tree falling onto the powerlines and communication lines caused a malfunction of SCE’s power equipment, leading to an energized power line falling to the ground and igniting adjacent dry vegetation. The fire burned over 19,000 acres of National Forest System lands in Santa Barbara County.
‘This settlement will compensate the public for the expense of fighting the Rey Fire and restoring these federal lands that are enjoyed by all Americans,’ First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally said. ‘The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue recovery against those who cause damages to our precious national resources.’
SCE, UTS, and Frontier have agreed to pay the settlement without admitting wrongdoing or fault. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Barragan and Margaret Chen of the Complex and Defensive Litigation Section.
The $22 million settlement will go towards compensating the public for the expense of fighting the Rey Fire and restoring the affected federal lands. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue recovery against those responsible for causing damages to national resources.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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