Utility Company Sues Over Fatal California Mudslides



News

Over 75 lawsuits filed alleging mudslides were caused by Thomas Fire

By AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California utility facing a slew of lawsuits over a deadly Southern California wildfire sued Santa Barbara County and the state’s transportation department on Friday, saying they neglected to prepare for deadly mudslides that followed the blaze.

Southern California Edison filed the action against the county and Caltrans over mudslides that killed 23 people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the community of Montecito last year.

The county and other officials knew debris flows were common in the area and that “such an event would inevitably reoccur,” according to the lawsuit.

The officials failed to minimize the risk in advance, allowed development in hazard

Topics

Recent

Greece Boosts Special Firefighting Units To Cope With Its Growing Heat Risk May 1, 2024
Growing Wildfire Risk Leaves States Grappling With How To Keep Property Insurers From Fleeing April 30, 2024
Evacuees: Understanding the Other Side of the Fence April 29, 2024
Fire Chief, Four Others Convicted Over Greece’s Deadliest Wildfire April 29, 2024
After Two Decades, Napa County (CA) Plans Revamp to Cal Fire-Contracted Firefighter Program April 26, 2024

“

Over 75 lawsuits filed alleging mudslides were caused by Thomas Fire By AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California utility facing a slew of lawsuits over a deadly Southern California wildfire sued Santa Barbara County and the state’s transportation department on Friday, saying they neglected to prepare for deadly […]



Get The Wildland Firefighter Newsletter

Subscribe Today

Growing Wildfire Risk Leaves States Grappling With How To Keep Property Insurers From Fleeing

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Months after a catastrophic fire burned more than 2,200 homes in Hawaii, some property owners are getting more bad news — their property insurance won't be renewed because their insurance company has deemed the...

Evacuees: Understanding the Other Side of the Fence

By Chad Costa This job is fantastic, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. Being able to help during someone’s worst day runs deep in all first responders’ blood. However, the past few years have put us all through the wringer. Having been involved with the...

Fire Chief, Four Others Convicted Over Greece’s Deadliest Wildfire

By DEREK GATOPOULOS and COSTAS KANTOURIS Associated Press ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A Greek court convicted five former firefighting and disaster response officials on Monday over the deadliest wildfire in the country's history, with more than 100 people killed outside...

« Older Entries

← Previous Next →

News

Over 75 lawsuits filed alleging mudslides were caused by Thomas Fire