LOS ANGELES — Authorities are investigating the causes of the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, which have resulted in at least 16 fatalities and widespread property destruction.

In Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood with many celebrity residents who suffered home losses, fire investigators have pinpointed the blaze’s origin near a home on Piedra Morada Drive, overlooking a wooded area.

While lightning is a frequent cause of wildfires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, it has been ruled out in this case. Lightning was not reported in the Palisades or near the Eaton Fire in eastern Los Angeles County, another significant fire causing extensive damage.

The next most probable causes under investigation are intentional arson and faulty utility lines.

John Lentini, a fire investigation expert with Scientific Fire Analysis, explained that the fires’ magnitude doesn’t alter the investigative process, focusing on the point of origin and its surrounding area.

“This was once a small fire,” Lentini stated. “Investigators will pinpoint the start, then determine the cause by examining the area around the origin.”

Currently, there’s no evidence of arson in either fire, and utility lines haven’t been confirmed as the cause.

Utilities are mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to report potential wildfire-related electrical incidents. CPUC then investigates for any legal violations.

The 2017 Thomas Fire, a historically large wildfire, was attributed to Southern California Edison power lines making contact during high winds. This fire resulted in two deaths and extensive acreage burned.

Southern California Edison submitted a report to the CPUC on Friday regarding the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, an area they service.

Edison stated they haven’t received any indication of equipment involvement in the Eaton fire’s ignition but filed the report “out of an abundance of caution” after receiving preservation notices from insurance lawyers.

“Preliminary analysis by SCE of electrical circuit information for the energized transmission lines going through the area for 12 hours prior to the reported start time of the fire shows no interruptions or electrical or operational anomalies until more than one hour after the reported start time of the fire,” the utility reported.

Besides lightning, arson, and utility lines, debris burning and fireworks are also frequent causes of wildfires.

However, numerous other accidental causes are possible.

In 2021, a gender reveal event ignited a large wildfire, resulting in significant property damage, the loss of structures and the death of a firefighter.

The Eaton and Palisades fires continued to burn uncontained on Friday. While winds subsided, rain wasn’t forecast, allowing the fires to spread through dry terrain.

“It’s going to go out when it runs out of fuel, or when the weather stops,” Lentini commented. “They’re not going to put that thing out until it’s ready to go out.”