Southern California Edison Agrees to Pay $80 Million Settlement for 2017 Thomas Fire

Southern California Edison has agreed to pay the United States $80 million to settle U.S. Forest Service costs and damages associated with the 2017 Thomas Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 26. The settlement, finalized Feb. 23, is the largest wildfire cost recovery settlement negotiated by the United States in the central district of California. “This record settlement provides significant compensation to taxpayers for the extensive costs of fighting the Thomas Fire and for the widespread damage to public lands,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally. Southern California Edison agreed to pay the settlement within 60 days without admitting wrongdoing or fault....