Southern California Edison works on paying Eaton Fire victims

By Dave Mason
The Center Square

Southern California Edison, which many blamed for starting the destructive Eaton Fire in the Pasadena/Altadena area, is developing a program to reimburse victims.

The utility company this week announced workshops for its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, which is intended to provide payments to residents and businesses affected by the fire.

Entities varying from the U.S. Department of Justice to the Pasadena Unified School District and the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre have sued Southern California Edison for the Eaton Fire. The suits blame the company’s equipment for igniting the blaze.

The Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres, destroyed 9,418 structures and resulted in 17 deaths in January, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported.

Southern California Edison said its workshops are designed to give people a chance to comment about the Eaton Fire payment program before details such as eligibility are finalized. The program is scheduled to launch later this fall.

“The resilience of community members continues to inspire us, yet it’s difficult to witness the challenges they face,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, Southern California Edison’s parent company. “SCE’s program is designed to help them focus on their recovery, and our efforts remain on supporting the community. While the investigation continues, inviting input on draft details is the next step in helping the community rebuild faster and stronger.”

Virtual workshops are scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26. In-person meetings will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 27 and 7 p.m. Sept. 29, both at Loma Alta Park Gymnasium, 3330 Lincoln Ave., Altadena. To register, go to sce.com/directclaimsupdates.

To see a question-and-answer video featuring Pizarro and others, go to energized.edison.com.