Utility giant Southern California Edison (SCE) will fork over $82.5 million to settle claims stemming from the 2020 Bobcat Fire, per announcements from the Justice Department. The payment, which does not imply an admission of wrongdoing or fault by SCE, stands as the most considerable wildfire cost recovery payout in the Central District of California, signaling SCE's readiness to close a contentious chapter in the state's history of environmental litigation. The sum will recoup expenses tied to firefighting efforts and restore damaged public lands, including the Angeles National Forest, which shouldered the brunt of the blaze's ravage.
The Bobcat Fire, which ignited in September 2020 and consumed more than 114,000 acres of land, was investigated by the United States Forest Service. "This record settlement against Southern California Edison provides meaningful compensation to taxpayers for the extensive costs of fighting the Bobcat Fire, and for the widespread damage to public lands," United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. The lawsuit, filed by the United States in September 2023, alleged negligence by SCE and Utility Tree Service in tree maintenance, leading to trees contacting power lines and igniting the wildfire.
The repercussions of the fire were substantial, causing extensive closures of trails, campgrounds, and damage to diverse habitats and sensitive wildlife populations. In the deal, slated for completion within 60 days of the May 14 agreement date, SCE moves to alleviate some of the ecological and recreational losses incurred. "These settlements are essential in restoring our landscapes after wildfires," said Acting U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Jason Kuiken, reflecting on the pathway the settlement paves for broader recovery efforts.
Officials have welcomed the settlement as a necessary step toward rehabilitation. "We are grateful to receive these settlement funds, which mark an important step toward recovery and restoration," explained Deputy Forest Supervisor Tony Martinez of the Angeles National Forest. The funds are poised to enable the restoration of wildlife habitats and help bolster forest resilience against future wildfires, an ongoing concern in fire-prone regions of Southern California. In a collaborative effort, Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Quist and Joseph Tursi of the Complex and Defensive Litigation Section were key figures in negotiating the settlement.
For more details on the legal proceedings and settlement terms, Public Information Officer Ciaran McEvoy can be reached at [email protected] or via phone at (213) 894-4465.
