What Caused the Deadly California Wildfires? Investigators Explore Various Theories
LOS ANGELES—Authorities are exploring various potential ignition sources for the massive blazes that have claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals and devastated countless homes and businesses in the Los Angeles region.
In the affluent neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, where celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal have lost their residences, officials have traced the beginnings of the intense fire to the area behind a home on Piedra Morada Drive, located above a densely forested arroyo.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, lightning is the most frequent cause of fires in the United States, but investigators quickly ruled that possibility out. There were no recorded occurrences of lightning in the Palisades area or near the Eaton fire, which originated in east Los Angeles County and has already destroyed hundreds of homes.
Two people navigate their bicycles through the devastation caused by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2025.Jae C. Hong/AP Photo
The following most frequent causes include intentionally set fires and those initiated by utility lines.
John Lentini, the proprietor of Scientific Fire Analysis in Florida, who has investigated large-scale fires in California, including the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, noted that the scale and impact of the blaze do not alter the methodology for determining its cause.
“This fire began as a small incident,” Lentini remarked. “Investigators will concentrate on identifying the fire’s starting point, ascertain its origin, and examine the immediate area to determine the cause.”
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Thus far, there have been no official confirmations of arson in either fire, nor have utility lines been definitively linked as a cause.
Utilities must inform the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) of any “electric incidents potentially related to a wildfire,” stated Terrie Prosper, the commission’s communications director, via email. Following such reports, CPUC staff investigates to determine if there have been any violations of state law.
Investigators determined that the 2017 Thomas Fire, one of the largest in California’s history, was ignited by Southern California Edison power lines that made contact during high winds. This fire led to two fatalities and scorched over 440 square miles, as noted in the investigation led by the Ventura County Fire Department.
No such reports regarding the current fires have appeared on the CPUC website that monitors these filings.
In addition to lightning, arson, and utility lines, other frequent causes include debris burning and fireworks.
However, fires can be triggered by a multitude of sources, including accidental incidents.
For instance, in 2021, a couple’s gender reveal party prompted a significant fire that wiped out nearly 36 square miles, destroyed five houses and 15 other structures, and resulted in the death of firefighter Charlie Morton.
The Eaton and Palisades fires were still active with little to no containment as of Thursday. Winds had weakened, but no rain was predicted as the flames advanced through extensive dry terrain.
“It will extinguish when it exhausts its fuel or when the weather shifts,” Lentini explained. “They won’t contain it until it decides to be extinguished.”
By Jason Dearen
