ALTADENA, Calif. — Residents of this fire-ravaged community in the hills above Pasadena are facing an unexpected financial burden as they rebuild from last year's deadly Eaton wildfire. Southern California Edison's plan to bury 63 miles of power lines to prevent future blazes could force some homeowners to pay up to $40,000 just to reconnect their homes to the grid, leaving many feeling betrayed by the very utility blamed for the disaster.
The Eaton fire, which erupted in January 2025, claimed 19 lives and destroyed more than 9,000 structures across Los Angeles County, according to fire officials. An ongoing investigation points to a dormant power line as a possible ignition source, though Edison has not been officially held responsible. In the aftermath, the utility launched an ambitious undergrounding project aimed at enhancing wildfire resiliency and reducing the need for preventive power shutoffs in high-risk areas like Altadena, an unincorporated enclave known for its oak- and pine-dotted landscapes.
But for survivors like Connor Cipolla, whose home suffered smoke and ash damage, the initiative has brought more pain than relief. Cipolla told the Los Angeles Times that he was stunned to learn his connection costs could range from $20,000 to $40,000. "Residents are so angry," Cipolla said. "We were completely blindsided."
Neighboring homeowners have received similar estimates, with one quoted $30,000 for the work required to link their property to the new underground infrastructure. The process involves excavating trenches from the main lines to individual homes, a labor-intensive task that falls on the property owners under state regulations. A spokesman for the California Public Utilities Commission confirmed to Edison that customers must cover these connection fees, leaving the utility's hands tied on direct subsidies.
Environmental concerns compound the frustration. The planned trenches threaten to uproot surviving trees that withstood the inferno, including venerable cedars and oaks that residents view as symbols of resilience. Homeowner Robert Steller is actively working to halt crews from burying a large transformer between two cedar trees on his property. "It would be downright fatal" to the trees, Steller told the Times, emphasizing the irreplaceable loss in a community still healing from the fire's scars.
Dozens of excavation sites mapped out by Edison have raised alarms, as they could sever root systems across the hillside. Community members have organized meetings and petitions, urging the utility to reroute the lines or provide alternatives that preserve the natural canopy. "These trees are what's left of our neighborhood's character," one resident said at a recent gathering, according to local reports.
Edison defends the project as essential for long-term safety. Scott Johnson, a spokesman for the utility, told the New York Post that the underground lines represent a critical upgrade. "We are undergrounding the lines to support the recovery and most importantly, our wildfire resiliency," Johnson said. He added that the company is actively pursuing government funding to offset the connection costs for affected households, though no specific timeline or amount has been announced.
Johnson acknowledged the tree protection efforts underway, noting that arborists are involved in planning to minimize damage. However, he could not provide an exact number of impacted households, estimating it in the dozens based on the 63-mile scope. The project, which began in late 2025, is expected to span several years and cost hundreds of millions, with ratepayers footing much of the bill through future increases approved by regulators.
The Eaton fire's toll extended far beyond Altadena, scorching over 100,000 acres and forcing evacuations for thousands. It was one of several devastating blazes in Southern California that year, fueled by dry winds and drought conditions exacerbated by climate change. Utilities like Edison have faced mounting scrutiny and lawsuits for their role in sparking such events through aging infrastructure, leading to billions in settlements and mandated safety overhauls.
In response, state lawmakers passed the Wildfire Fund in 2019, pooling utility assets to compensate victims without bankrupting companies. Yet, individual connection fees like those in Altadena fall outside this framework, highlighting gaps in post-disaster support. Critics argue that Edison, as the potential fire starter, should absorb these costs, while the utility maintains that regulatory rules prevent it.
Local officials in Los Angeles County have voiced sympathy for the residents but stopped short of intervening directly. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes Altadena, said in a statement that her office is monitoring the project and advocating for state aid. "These families have been through enough," Barger said. "We need solutions that don't add to their burdens."
Community advocates are pushing for a moratorium on excavations until funding is secured. At a town hall last week, more than 100 residents gathered to air grievances, with some calling the plan a "second disaster." Cipolla, who has launched an online petition, hopes to rally broader support. "We're not against safety measures," he clarified. "But this feels like punishment for surviving."
Edison's broader undergrounding efforts are part of a $5 billion commitment over the next decade to bury lines in fire-prone zones statewide. Similar projects in San Diego and Santa Barbara counties have drawn mixed reviews, with some praising reduced outage risks and others decrying the expense. In Altadena, the debate underscores the tension between infrastructure modernization and equitable recovery.
As the investigation into the Eaton fire's cause drags on, pressure mounts on Edison to demonstrate accountability. Interim reports suggest equipment failure played a role, but final findings could influence funding decisions and legal outcomes. For now, residents like Steller and Cipolla brace for tough choices: pay the steep fees, delay reconnection, or fight for changes in a landscape forever altered by flames.
Looking ahead, Altadena's story may foreshadow challenges for other wildfire survivors across California. With another fire season looming, the push for resilient power grids is urgent, but so is the need for policies that shield the most vulnerable. As Johnson put it, the utility is "working to protect local trees" and support recovery, yet the path forward remains fraught with contention.