A Week After Southern California Wildfires, Investigations Remain Ongoing and Shrouded in Secrecy
A week after the deadly and destructive wildfires swept through Southern California, officials have not yet determined the cause of the blazes, with many still under investigation.
The Los Angeles Times reported that officials have yet to identify the cause of the Palisades Fire, which has killed at least eight people and burned over 5,000 structures, making it the second-most destructive fire in Southern California’s history. The investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and local authorities.
“It’s a monumental task,” said Mike Vergon, a retired ATF fire investigator. “Figuring out what caused a fire is a painstaking, time-intensive process.”
The investigation is expected to take weeks, months, or even years to complete, as officials have to painstakingly review evidence, conduct interviews, and analyze data to determine the cause of the fires.
About 95% of California’s wildfires are caused by humans, often through intentional acts of arson, downed power lines, or accidental ignition sources such as fireworks or backyard barbecues.
The cause of the Eaton Fire, which also ranks as one of the most destructive in California’s history, is also under investigation. Neighbors reported seeing flames beneath an electrical transmission tower shortly before the fire broke out.
Despite speculation and rumors about the causes of the fires, officials have stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that no conclusions have been drawn.
Meanwhile, fire investigators are looking for any clues that can help them determine the cause of the fires. They are analyzing satellite images, weather data, and 911 calls to piece together what happened.
“It’s tedious, it’s dirty, it’s not fun,” said Ed Nordskog, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s arson investigator. “You have to go through all the hypotheses of what could have happened and eliminate them one by one until you arrive at one that is supported by evidence.”
The investigation may also provide valuable lessons on how to prevent similar fires in the future, said Tommy Sing, a veteran fire investigator and president of Quest Fire Analysis.
“At the end of the day, you have to know how the fire occurred to mitigate the risk of it occurring again,” Sing said.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging caution and patience, acknowledging that determining the cause of the fires will take time.
“The timeline for the Palisades Fire investigation is difficult to predict,” said Tim Jones, an ATF deputy assistant director. “We don’t make any initial assessments. We wait until we are able to obtain all of the evidence.”
