Judge urges Southern California Edison to share evidence faster

A judge has urged Southern California Edison (SCE) to share images and data faster from the inspections of its power lines, linked to the start of a devastating fire in Eaton Canyon. This call for urgency came during a court hearing on March 17, 2025, where a judge and attorneys discussed the handling of over 130 lawsuits against the utility. The hearings are focused on establishing protocols for preserving evidence related to the fire, which destroyed more than 9,000 structures and resulted in 17 fatalities. SCE is accused of having equipment that sparked the fire, and both sides agreed on many procedural matters, but disagreed on the timeline for sharing inspection results. Plaintiffs' attorneys argue that quick access to images and videos of the inspections is critical. Some inspections are set to take place shortly, including climbing transmission towers and testing lines suspected of causing the fire. Attorney Howard Maycon pointed out that waiting four days after inspections for these images could compromise evidence. While SCE's lawyers contested that urgency, Judge Laura Seigle pressed the company to ensure that information is shared sooner. SCE indicated they would make efforts to comply. Investigators from both SCE and the plaintiffs will be involved in examining equipment, with hopes to clarify the fire's cause. The court also focused on how to efficiently manage these numerous cases, appointing liaison attorneys to help with coordination. The lawsuits rely on eyewitness accounts and evidence suggesting that SCE's equipment may have ignited the fire. In light of this situation, SCE faces significant financial stakes, having already seen a considerable drop in market value due to ongoing scrutiny and potential liabilities from the fire. The next court dates are scheduled for April 3 and 17 in Los Angeles.