Role of Power Lines in California’s Wildfire Crisis

California has been grappling with increasingly destructive wildfires, many of which are tied to power infrastructure.

Investigations are ongoing into recent fires around Los Angeles, where residents fear that electrical equipment may have sparked the blazes. Historical data underscores this concern, revealing that power-related incidents have significantly contributed to the state’s wildfire crisis.

Since 1992, the US Forest Service has attributed more than 3,600 wildfires in California to power generation, transmission, and distribution issues. These include problems with utility poles and power lines, which have caused some of the state’s most catastrophic fires. Data from CalFire further highlights this trend, showing that over the decades, the share of fires linked to power lines has grown steadily.

Examples of power-related wildfires include the following:

• The 2017 Thomas Fire, ignited by power line collisions caused by high winds, burned for nearly 40 days.
• The 2018 Camp Fire, California’s deadliest wildfire, started when molten metal from an electrical arc fell onto vegetation, resulting in over 80 fatalities and more than 18,000 structures destroyed.
• The 2021 Dixie Fire, California’s largest single-source wildfire, began when a tree contacted a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) distribution line, burning nearly a million acres.

In the Los Angeles area, recent fires like the Eaton and Palisades wildfires have wreaked havoc, destroying over 12,000 structures and prompting evacuation orders for 92,000 residents. Lawsuits have already been filed, including one against Southern California Edison, alleging its equipment sparked the Eaton Fire. Investigators are still determining the exact causes, but power infrastructure remains a focal point.

California’s fierce winds exacerbate the wildfire threat, carrying embers across miles and igniting new blazes in vulnerable areas. Experts emphasize that embers, more than direct flames, are often responsible for destroying homes. These embers accumulate in flammable areas like wood fences or shrubbery, highlighting the need for fire-resistant construction practices.

Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a $2.5 billion package to address the wildfire crisis. This includes $1 billion for emergency response and $1.5 billion for fortifying the state against future fires. The funds aim to accelerate recovery and bolster fire prevention measures, such as improving utility infrastructure and enhancing community resilience.

California is not alone in facing power-related wildfires. Similar incidents in Texas and Oregon underline the broader challenge of managing aging electrical infrastructure in fire-prone regions. For example, Texas’ largest wildfire, the Smokehouse Creek fire in 2024, was caused by a utility pole failure, burning over a million acres.

The New York Times and CBS News contributed to this report.