Experts and regulators have raised concerns about the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) failing to implement essential wildfire safety protocols. As wildfires devastate Los Angeles, killing at least 16 people and destroying thousands of homes, questions are mounting about the public utility’s preparedness and response.
Key Shortcomings in LADWP’s Approach
Unlike other major California utilities, LADWP has not adopted proactive measures like planned power shutoffs in high-risk areas during strong winds. This practice, used by private utilities such as Southern California Edison (SCE), has proven effective in preventing wildfires ignited by electrical equipment.
According to The Wall Street Journal, LADWP left its electrical grid fully operational during the recent windstorms, leading to widespread outages as strong gusts damaged power lines. While the utility has not been directly implicated in starting the fires, regulators and experts caution that active power lines could contribute to fire ignition under the right conditions.
Current Measures and Their Limitations
LADWP has defended its approach, stating that it disables automatic power restoration systems during windstorms to prevent sparks from damaged lines. The utility argues that large-scale power shutoffs could endanger critical city services and emergency operations.
However, LADWP’s wildfire mitigation plan lacks modern technology widely adopted by other utilities, such as networks of cameras and weather stations to monitor high-risk conditions. The utility has acknowledged these gaps and claims to be exploring such technologies, though they remain unimplemented.
Comparison with Other Utilities
Utilities like SCE have taken aggressive steps to minimize wildfire risks, including preemptive power shutoffs affecting tens of thousands of customers during high winds. This week, SCE enacted such measures to prevent fires like the Eaton Fire, which has consumed over 4,000 hectares in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Michael Wara, director of Stanford University’s Climate and Energy Policy Program, criticized LADWP’s reluctance to adopt similar strategies. He argued that balancing reliability with safety is crucial, especially given the state’s recent history of deadly utility-related wildfires.
Growing Risk Areas in LADWP Territory
While much of LADWP’s service area is urban and less prone to wildfires, about 21% of its territory lies in high-risk zones, according to regulatory filings. The Palisades Fire and Hurst Fire, two of the largest ongoing wildfires, both originated in areas under LADWP’s jurisdiction.
The lack of preventive measures has revived debates about whether the utility’s current practices are adequate in the face of climate change and increasing wildfire risks.
Challenges of Power Shutoffs
Implementing preventive power outages poses significant challenges. While effective at reducing wildfire risks, such measures can disrupt essential services, complicate evacuations, and endanger individuals relying on medical equipment. They can also have economic impacts, forcing business closures and reducing public trust in utilities.
LADWP has previously argued that its urban-focused service area differs from rural regions served by other utilities, making planned shutoffs less necessary. However, the recent wildfires have intensified scrutiny of this stance.
Lessons from Other Regions
The dangers of inadequate preventive measures are well-documented. In 2020, Oregon utility PacifiCorp faced lawsuits for failing to cut power ahead of devastating Labor Day wildfires. Similarly, Hawaiian Electric paid nearly $2 billion in settlements after its lines were linked to the 2023 Maui wildfire, the deadliest in the U.S. in over a century.
As climate conditions worsen, utilities across the western U.S. are increasingly adopting wildfire prevention strategies. LADWP’s resistance to similar measures could leave it vulnerable to litigation and public backlash if its infrastructure is linked to any of the current fires.
A Call for Change
As investigations into the fires continue, regulators and experts are urging LADWP to reconsider its approach. The utility’s resistance to proactive safety measures may no longer be sustainable, given the escalating risks posed by climate change and the increasing prevalence of severe wildfires.