The state Attorney General has sued Southern California Edison and two property owners to recoup $7.4 million it cost to fight the Shekell fire in late 2006.
The fire, which tore through more than 13,000 acres in the Moorpark area, had two origins: a power pole near Happy Camp park and a private power pole on Shekell Road.
The lawsuit, filed Nov. 25 in Ventura County Superior Court, says Edison was negligent in maintaining its power poles, and that it should be financially responsible for the cost to fight the Happy Camp fire — about $5.3 million.
The fire that started on the Happy Camp property, north of Moorpark, burned more than 10,000 acres. That fire merged with the Shekell fire, which started about two miles south.
The suit also alleges negligence on the part of property owners Caprock Inc. and Grimes Rock Inc., who maintained a private electrical system on Shekell Road, the location of the start of the first fire, which burned 3,300 acres. The state is seeking $2.1 million in damages for this fire.
Story by Ventura County Star
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