Fears LA wildfires ‘could have been caused by spike in power grid faults’ as 1,000 prisoners deployed to fight flames
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FEARS are emerging that the deadly Los Angeles wildfires may have been caused by surging spikes in faults on the power grid. Speculation has grown over the last few days around what could have resulted in the devastating disaster with over 1,000 prisoners now being deployed to fight the roaring flames.
![[Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the burning Palisades Fire]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/firefighters-watch-water-dropped-palisades-963053003_e7dda5.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
At least 13 people have died with another 13 still missing as officials warn the fires could rage on for days. But the cause of the fire remains unclear with cops still searching for if the initial spark was the result of an arson attack or a far more unfortunate result.
![[Thousands of homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood have been burnt to the ground]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/view-shows-remains-homes-destroyed-963115184.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Bob Marshall, the chief executive of Whisker Labs, a company that monitors electrical activity, has revealed that his firm noticed massive spikes hours before the fires first erupted. He told Fox News that data shows the power to areas near to the Eaton, Palisades and Hurst Fires was not instantly shut off as the surges started.
![[A horrifying fire rips through LA]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/firefighters-battle-palisades-fire-one-963106077.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
This then may have resulted in "tree limbs touching wires or wires blowing in the wind and touching", Marshall added. According to Whisker Labs data, the worst affected Pacific Palisades region felt 63 faults in the hours before the fire ignited. Eaton Fire saw 317 grid faults and the Hurst Fire saw around 230 faults.
![[Thousands of firefighters have been deployed to help find any survivors]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/firefighters-walk-hill-battle-palisades-963121232.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Normally the company would experience very few registers, Marshall confirmed. This could have resulted in sparks flying away from the faults and igniting vegetation in the nearby areas. If this was highly dried out then a fiery flicker could have formed and been carried across LA due to the high winds at the time.
![[Many homes at the Mandeville Canyon are at serious risk]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/image_4348fd.jpeg?strip=all&w=960)
