California's utility to pay a $ 82 million settlement in lawsuit stems from Big 2020 wildfire

Los Angeles (AP) – A California aid program has agreed to pay the federal government $ 82.5 million stemming from an enormous 2020 wildfire cracked by mountains northeast of Los Angeles and the Mojave desert, officials said on Friday. The US Department of Justice announced the payment by South California Edison on Thursday. US Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement that the settlement “provides meaningful compensation to taxpayers for the extensive cost of combating the … fire and for the widespread damage to public countries.” Edison agreed to pay the settlement within 60 days of his effective date, May 14, without admitting offenses or debt, prosecutors said. Nut Diane Castro said: “Our hearts are with the people affected by the Bobcat fire. We are pleased that we have solved this matter and will continue to promote the mitigation of the wildfire.” The settlement stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by the federal prosecutors on behalf of the US Forest Service against Edison and Utility Tree Service to recover the costs from the fight against the so-called Bobcat fire and for the extensive damage it did to the Angeles National Forest. The government claims that the fire was on fire when trees that were not maintained by the utility, and that his tree maintenance contractor came into contact with power lines. Fire damage has closed campsites and more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) routes for years and habitat harms for federal endangered wildlife mounting yellow legs and federal endangered fish and birds, the government said. “These resources will help us rehabilitate burnt areas, restore the habitats of wildlife and strengthen our forests’ resilience towards future wildfires,” said Tony Martinez, deputy supervisor. The fire charred about 178 square miles (461 square kilometers). Last year, the aid program agreed to pay $ 80 million to continue claims on behalf of the US forest service related to a massive wildfire that destroyed more than a thousand homes and other structures in 2017, to investigate the cause of the Eaton Fire, which destroyed at least 7,000 homes and other structures, which were destroyed earlier this year. SCE lawsuits say the equipment equipment has provoked the flame.