L.A. Wildfires News

Southern California Edison Gear Ignited More Fires in 2024 Than Previous Year

Southern California Edison’s equipment ignited nearly 60% more fires in 2024 than in the previous year, mainly tiny ones that were quickly extinguished, as the utility battled to prevent catastrophe in the months leading up to the Los Angeles wildfires. …

Insurers Have Now Paid out $6.9B for LA Wildfires, Report Shows

Insurance companies have so far paid out more than $6.9 billion for losses from the biggest two of the Los Angeles-area wildfires that swept through the region and destroyed tens of thousands of homes last month. That’s according to the …

Mercury Expects to Lose $1.6B to $2B from LA Wildfires

Although Mercury Insurance Group expects gross losses from the 2025 California wildfires in the $1.6 billion-$2.0 billion range, potential subrogation and reinsurance recoveries will drop the ultimate bill down to $325 million or less, the company believes. “We believe there …

Edison Utility Faces Shareholder Lawsuit Over LA Wildfires

The parent company of Southern California Edison has been sued for allegedly defrauding shareholders before the recent Los Angeles-area wildfires by assuring them it could shut down power lines to reduce the risk of catastrophic damage. Tuesday’s proposed class action …

Travelers Expecting $1.7 Billion in Catastrophe Losses From LA Wildfires

Another major California insurer is reporting losses in excess of $1 billion from the Los Angeles area wildfires. The Travelers Companies Inc. announced Tuesday it will lose an estimated $1.7 billion from last month’s wildfires, which swept through the region …

Newsom Wants to Speed up Delayed Rule to Make California Homes More Fire Resistant

As Los Angeles reels from deadly January wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an order last week directing the state to advance long-delayed regulations requiring homeowners in high-risk areas to clear combustible materials around their …

AccuWeather: Elevated Risk of Mudslides at LA Wildfire Burn Scars With Coming Storm

Meteorologists are warning of an elevated risk of dangerous debris flows and destructive mudslides in Southern California next week in areas scorched by destructive Los Angeles wildfires. AccuWeather meteorologists expect between 2 inches and 4 inches of rain near the …

LA Neighbors See Much Different Post-Wildfire Rebuilding Options Due to Insurance Crisis

Before a wildfire ravaged their street in northwest Altadena, Louise Hamlin and Chris Wilson lived next door to each other in nearly identical houses. “I chose an old home in an old neighborhood because it has soul,” said Hamlin, a …

Edison Probing Retired Power Line as Possible Start of LA Eaton Fire

Edison International’s utility is looking at whether a power line retired in 1971 started the Eaton wildfire as part of a probe into the cause of the blaze that razed more than 9,000 structures. Southern California Edison found evidence of …

AM Best: Wildfires Intensifying California’s Property Insurance Troubles

Wildfires are intensifying the problems in California’s property insurance market, according to a new commentary from AM Best. Those problems include a major insurer pullback from California in the past year, followed by the L.A. wildfires, which could result in …