Zombie Phenomenon Emerges After Deadly LA Fire That Killed 17

The lethal Eaton Fire that ripped through the hillside areas Los Angeles For multiple days in January, the issue might have begun with an abandoned 'zombie' power line — one that was not transmitting electricity or linked to the grid anymore.

Southern California Edison is currently rushing to ascertain if the inactive power line that ignited the blaze destroying the Altadenas neighborhood, claiming 17 lives, unexpectedly came alive during the night.

Scientists think that a process called induction causes currents to form due to an electromagnetic force produced by nearby high-voltage transmission lines.

A power line, even when not in use, can absorb tiny electrical charges.

For several days, detectives from the utility firm Southern California Edison (SCE) conducted their probe. persuaded that their power lines were not responsible for the disaster.

The firm combed through the region checking their operational lines and discovered no signs of damaged wires, faulty gear, or issues within the power grid.

It appeared to be a clear-cut case until an unsettling development arose. Photos and videos started spreading, depicting fire engulfing the bottom area. of a power line.

However, the track was an outdated remnant that had ceased operations 53 years ago and lacked any link to the electrical network. Despite this, the 'zombie' route seemed to have risen from the grave.

'Certainly, we are receiving considerable attention and emphasis on the induction theory,' stated Pedro Pizarro, CEO of Edison International. Wall Street Journal 'As it had no connection to anything else, induction becomes the primary hypothesis.'

Investigators are now exploring whether this neglected power line inadvertently led to the disaster.

The Eaton Fire started on January 7 in the forested slopes of Eaton Canyon, located to the east of Altadena.

That evening, the winds were fiercely blowing as they brought arid desert air into the region.

However, just before the initial sparks ignited, an unusual event occurred.

A live transmission line located outside the canyon experienced an interruption, leading to a abrupt increase in electrical current.

The increase might have intensified the electromagnetic field around the dormant power line, leading to a fatal, unseen series of events.

The protective gear intended to ensure the inactive line remained safe had been damaged – though the specifics of when and how this occurred remain unclear.

However, one thing is certain: shortly thereafter, fire erupted along the dormant track.

Footage acquired by attorneys for the fire's victims reveals unsettling bursts of light close to one of the transmission tower supports, mere instants prior to the wildfire erupting dramatically throughout the canyon.

The video might have recorded the precise instant when the line became active, transforming an inert wire into a blazing spark that ignited approximately 14,000 acres, resulting in the destruction of more than 6,000 houses.

"It's time we could conduct more detailed analyses of the equipment itself," Pizarro stated. WSJ 'As soon as we find something that provides that crucial connection, we will announce it immediately.'

Propelled by strong gusts, the Eaton Fire rapidly crossed through parched vegetation and surged into nearby residential areas within minutes, leaving families with barely any time to respond.

Many narrowly avoided death, yet some did not survive.

Once the smoke dissipated, 17 people had perished and an entire neighborhood was left as charred remnants.

The staggering loss became the second-most devastating wildfire in California's history.

SCE, a subsidiary of Edison International is now preparing for the legal actions to come.

The firm might have to utilize California’s $21 billion wildfire liability fund, but this would only occur if they demonstrate to authorities that their upkeep of the unused electrical line adhered to sector benchmarks. Otherwise, they may face bearing the massive expenses independently.

The pressure intensifies as Los Angeles County has already initiated legal action aimed at recovering potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in expenses related to fire recovery.

Attorneys are currently reaching out to fire victims as lawsuits continue to increase daily.

The most alarming aspect is that there is no available data indicating the total number of 'zombie' power lines that remain operational.

SCE alone possesses over 465 miles of unused transmission lines, and there hasn't been any regulatory requirement to take them out.

A significant number remained upright primarily due to the high costs associated with their demolition.

The others remained in position under the presumption that they could potentially be reused in the future.

However, following the Eaton Fire, the industry is beginning to realize that those overlooked power lines might not be as inert as previously thought.

California regulators have faced this situation previously. In 2019, the large-scale Kincade Fire in Northern California was ignited by a retired PG&E transmission line that ought to have been deactivated. removed but wasn't .

In this scenario, the connection to the power grid remained intact. This mistake proved costly for PG&E, resulting in a $40 million penalty.

We likely didn’t identify those insights back then that could have resulted in alternative actions regarding our de-energized standby lines," Pizarro acknowledged. "Having undergone this experience, we are now reviewing that aspect.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is carrying out its own separate inquiry; however, it could be several months before they reach an official conclusion.

SCE has also declared immediate inspections of its inactive lines, urgently aiming to avoid another disaster.

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