For the best experienceDownload the Mobile App
App Store Play Store
Arson investigator tells Scripps News finding source of Los Angeles wildfires could take months
Arson investigator tells Scripps News finding source of Los Angeles wildfires could take months
Arson investigator tells Scripps News finding source of Los Angeles wildfires could take months

Published on: 01/14/2025

Description

One week since multiple fires erupted in Los Angeles, city officials are still working to pinpoint what ignited the blazes.

It's a process that could take some time.

"This process could take multiple weeks, multiple months," Trace Lawless, president of the International Association of Arson Investigators, told Scripps News. "Collecting all the data is the first thing — not only talking to people as far as witness interviews, collecting surveillance camera information, whether that be at a resident's or at a business, collecting all the data points, and then going out and physically observing the scene in its entirety."

Multiple lawsuits filed Monday claimed utility company Southern California Edison sparked the Eaton fire.

The company denies that claim but has said fire agencies are looking into whether its equipment may have started a smaller fire that broke out the same day.

RELATED STORY | Pink flame retardants are being used to slow California fires. What do we know about them?

As of Tuesday morning, investigators say they do not know a definitive cause for the start of any of the fires.

Some residents in the Pacific Palisades believe the Palisades fire may have started when remnants of an extinguished New Year's Day fire reignited.

"It's called a holdover fire," arson investigator Ed Nordskog said. "That's a reasonable theory at this point."

But investigators have not discovered a definitive link to that previous fire. While they continue to search for clues into what ignited the fire, it's clear what helped fan the flames.

"The biggest factor for Palisades was the wind," Nordskog said. "It was one of the biggest winds we've ever seen, so that took what would normally be a smaller fire and drove it into this massive event."

In an update Tuesday, officials warned severe weather conditions will continue through Wednesday.

News Source : https://www.kbzk.com/us-news/california-wildfires/arson-investigator-tells-scripps-news-finding-source-of-los-angeles-wildfires-could-take-months

Other Related News

01/15/2025

In the four years since the Montana Legislature created the framework to legalize recreat...

'Hurts my heart': Montana woman loses childhood home to California fires
'Hurts my heart': Montana woman loses childhood home to California fires

01/14/2025

BILLINGS As the devastation in California continues from the wildfires Petra Wolfe watche...

Great Falls man charged with attempted homicide
Great Falls man charged with attempted homicide

01/14/2025

David Martel 71 years old is facing a felony charge of attempted deliberate homicide in Gr...

SEC sues Elon Musk, saying he didn't disclose Twitter ownership on time before buying it
SEC sues Elon Musk, saying he didn't disclose Twitter ownership on time before buying it

01/14/2025

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has sued billionaire Elon Musk saying he failed ...

ShoutoutGive Shoutout
500/500