SoCal Edison settles $900,000 in damage claims for 2014 wildfire in Kern County

FRESNO, Calif. — The United State Department of Justice announced that Southern California Edison has paid $900,000 to resolve damages resulting from a 2014 wildfire that burned more than 4,392 acres, including lands in Kern County.

According to U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, on Aug. 18, 2014 the so-called Way Fire erupted in the community of Wofford Heights as a result of SoCal Edison’s negligence.

The blaze was caused when an insulator broke free from its pin on the cross arm of a SoCal Edison power pole, allowing the conductor to come into contact with another conductor.

“I’m pleased that this issue was resolved in a positive manner for our agency,” said Randy Moore, Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. “A lot of time and resources go into both fighting fires and cost recovery, and recouping these costs is important.”