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As the LA fires showed earlier this year, a single spark can have devastating consequences. But it’s still unknown what started one blaze that ravaged the neighbourhood of Altadena and killed 17 people.
Investigators initially dismissed nearby active power lines as the cause, but the WSJ reports a new theory that points towards an idle suspect.
A long dormant power line with no connection to the grid may have been re-energised by the induction of surrounding electromagnetic forces.
This occurrence is normally avoided by grounding decommissioned lines, but Southern California Edison (SCE) – the utility company in charge of the lines – recently discovered grounding equipment damage.
Investigations are in the early stages, but a firm attribution of blame would open a can of worms.
The scope of future investigations would widen, the costs of maintaining inactive infrastructure would increase, and lawsuits worth billions could be filed against SCE.
Photo credit: Barbara Davidson for the Washington Post via Getty Images
